General
foley
What does foley mean?
The standard indwelling bladder catheter — flexible tube with an inflatable balloon at the tip to hold it in place. Universal hospital shorthand: nurses, surgeons and ER staff all just say 'Foley' instead of the full mouthful. Named after Frederic Foley, the American urologist who designed it in the 1930s.
"Patient's not voiding — pop a Foley in and let's get accurate I/Os."
Origin
Eponym from Dr Frederic Foley, who developed the self-retaining balloon catheter in the 1930s.
Frequently asked questions
What is a "Foley"?
It's an indwelling urinary catheter — the balloon-tipped tube that stays in the bladder.
How do you use "Foley" in a sentence?
For example: "The nurse placed a Foley to monitor his urine output."
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