Bard® Flip-Flo® Sterile Catheter Valve – 180° Lever Tap – Pack of 5 (Ref: BFF5)

The Bard® Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve BFF5 is a sterile catheter valve with a 180° lever tap, designed to provide intermittent bladder drainage for suitable people using an indwelling urethral or suprapubic catheter.

Instead of urine continuously draining into a leg bag, the Flip-Flo® valve can remain closed while the bladder fills and is opened at appropriate intervals to allow the bladder to empty.

For appropriately assessed catheter users, this provides a discreet alternative to continuous daytime drainage into a urine bag and can help maintain a more normal cycle of bladder filling and emptying.

The Flip-Flo® valve can also be connected to an appropriate urinary drainage bag when continuous drainage is required, for example overnight or when access to a toilet may be difficult.

Key features:

• Bard® Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve

• Reference BFF5

• Sterile

• 180° lever tap

• Designed for intermittent bladder drainage

• Suitable for appropriate urethral catheters

• Suitable for appropriate suprapubic catheters

• Suitable for temporary or long-term indwelling catheterisation

• Provides an alternative to continuous daytime drainage bags

• Allows the bladder to fill between drainage episodes

• Helps maintain normal bladder filling and emptying where clinically appropriate

• Compact and discreet

• Simple lever-operated drainage

• Can be used with an appropriate urinary drainage bag

• Suitable for connection to a night drainage bag where required

• Manufacturer guidance recommends changing every 5–7 days

• Replace earlier if damaged

• Pack of 5

What is a Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve?

The Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve is a small tap-like device that connects directly to the drainage funnel of an indwelling urinary catheter.

It can be used with either:

• Urethral catheters

• Suprapubic catheters

provided catheter-valve drainage has been assessed as clinically appropriate.

With the valve closed, urine is stored temporarily in the bladder.

The user or carer then opens the valve at appropriate intervals to allow urine to drain through the catheter.

After the bladder has emptied, the valve is closed again.

This provides a cycle of:

Bladder filling → valve opened → bladder emptied → valve closed

rather than continuous drainage into a collection bag.

180° lever tap

Reference BFF5 incorporates a 180° lever-operated tap.

The lever provides a simple method of opening and closing the urinary drainage pathway.

The operating mechanism may be particularly useful for users who prefer a lever-style catheter valve.

When draining:

• Position the outlet over a toilet or suitable receptacle

• Open the lever according to the manufacturer's instructions

• Allow the bladder to empty completely

• Return the lever fully to the closed position

• Check that drainage has stopped

Always follow the individual catheter-care plan provided by the healthcare professional.

Suitable for urethral catheters

The Flip-Flo® valve may be fitted to an appropriate indwelling urethral catheter.

The valve connects to the drainage end of the catheter and can provide an alternative to continuously wearing a urinary leg bag.

Correct catheter fixation should still be used to minimise pulling and traction on the urethra and bladder neck.

Suitable for suprapubic catheters

The Flip-Flo® valve can also be used with an appropriate suprapubic catheter.

This may provide a particularly discreet drainage arrangement where intermittent bladder emptying is suitable.

The catheter should still be adequately supported to avoid pulling on the suprapubic insertion site.

Temporary or permanent catheter use

Bard's patient guidance states that the Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve may be used with either:

• Temporary indwelling catheters

• Long-term / permanent indwelling catheters

provided a healthcare professional has determined that valve drainage is appropriate.

Maintaining bladder filling and emptying

Continuous catheter drainage keeps the bladder relatively empty because urine flows directly into a drainage bag.

A catheter valve allows the bladder to fill before it is deliberately emptied.

For suitable users, this may help maintain:

• Normal bladder capacity

• Bladder muscle function

• A more natural bladder filling and emptying cycle

This is one of the principal reasons a catheter valve may be recommended rather than continuous drainage.

Important – catheter valves are not suitable for everyone

A catheter valve should only be used after appropriate assessment of bladder function and the individual's ability to manage intermittent drainage.

A healthcare professional should determine whether a valve is suitable.

Factors that may affect suitability include:

• Bladder capacity

• Bladder sensation

• Ability to recognise bladder filling

• Kidney function

• Bladder pressure

• Overactive bladder symptoms

• Urinary leakage

• Manual dexterity

• Cognitive ability

• Individual urological condition

Some people require continuous free drainage and should not use a catheter valve.

When may a catheter valve be unsuitable?

Catheter valves may be inappropriate in some circumstances, including people with:

• Reduced bladder capacity

• Little or no bladder sensation

• Inability to reliably empty the bladder at appropriate intervals

• Significant cognitive impairment affecting valve management

• Poor manual dexterity where the valve cannot be operated safely

• Uncontrolled detrusor overactivity / overactive bladder

• Certain renal conditions

• Conditions where continuous urinary drainage has been clinically prescribed

Always follow the advice of the doctor, continence nurse, district nurse or urology team managing the catheter.

Discreet alternative to a leg bag

Where clinically suitable, the Flip-Flo® valve may eliminate the need to wear a urine drainage bag continuously during the day.

Potential practical advantages include:

• Less bulk beneath clothing

• No urine continuously collecting against the leg

• No leg-bag capacity to monitor during normal daytime use

• Reduced need for leg-bag straps or sleeves

• More discreet appearance

• Greater freedom in clothing choice

• More natural bladder filling and emptying

Clinical suitability should always take priority over convenience.

Using the Flip-Flo® valve

The valve should be operated according to the schedule recommended by the healthcare professional.

Bard's patient guidance recommends opening the valve:

• Whenever there is a need to pass urine

• Before going to bed

• First thing in the morning

• During the night where necessary

• At regular intervals during the day according to the individual care plan

The bladder should not be allowed to become excessively full.

How to empty the bladder

In general:

1. Wash and dry your hands.

2. Position the Flip-Flo® outlet over a toilet or suitable receptacle.

3. Open the 180° lever.

4. Allow urine to drain through the catheter.

5. Wait until the bladder has emptied and urine flow has stopped.

6. Close the lever securely.

7. Check that the valve is fully closed.

8. Wash and dry your hands.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and individual catheter-management plan.

Using the valve with a night drainage bag

The Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve may also be used with an appropriate bed / night drainage bag.

This provides additional capacity and allows continuous drainage overnight where required.

Bard specifically describes use of the Flip-Flo® valve with a compatible Uriplan® Bed Bag at night.

When using an overnight drainage bag:

• Connect the drainage bag securely to the catheter valve

• Position the bag below bladder level

• Ensure the valve is set appropriately to allow continuous drainage

• Keep the drainage tubing free from kinks

• Do not allow tubing to become trapped beneath the body or bedding

• Support the night bag on an appropriate stand or hanger

• Do not place the drainage bag directly on the floor

• Ensure the catheter is not under tension

Follow the instructions supplied with both the catheter valve and drainage bag.

Use with a leg drainage bag

The manufacturer also states that a compatible urinary leg bag may be used with the Flip-Flo® valve during the day when access to a toilet is likely to be difficult.

This allows the drainage arrangement to be adapted according to the user's circumstances.

Catheter securement

The catheter should remain appropriately secured while using the Flip-Flo® valve.

Suitable catheter fixation helps reduce:

• Pulling

• Traction

• Catheter movement

• Urethral discomfort

• Pressure at a suprapubic catheter site

The valve itself should not be allowed to pull unnecessarily on the catheter.

A suitable catheter strap or fixation device may be recommended.

How often should the Flip-Flo® valve be changed?

Bard's manufacturer patient guidance recommends changing the Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve every:

5–7 days

Replace the valve earlier if it becomes:

• Damaged

• Leaking

• Contaminated

• Difficult to operate

• Unable to close securely

UK catheter-care guidance also commonly recommends replacement of catheter valves every 5–7 days.

Maintaining a closed drainage system

Avoid unnecessary disconnection of the catheter and valve.

Frequent disconnection can increase opportunities for contamination of the urinary drainage system.

When changing the valve:

• Perform appropriate hand hygiene

• Empty the bladder first

• Remove the existing valve carefully

• Avoid touching the catheter connection unnecessarily

• Fit a new sterile valve according to the manufacturer's instructions

Follow local catheter-care and infection-prevention procedures.

When to seek medical advice

Contact an appropriate healthcare professional if:

• Urine unexpectedly stops draining

• The valve cannot be opened

• The valve cannot be closed

• Leakage develops around the valve

• Urine leaks around the catheter

• There is significant bladder or lower abdominal pain

• The catheter appears blocked

• There is blood in the urine

• Urine changes significantly in appearance

• Fever or chills develop

• The catheter becomes displaced

• There is new or significant pain at the urethral or suprapubic catheter site

Failure of urine to drain despite a full bladder may indicate a catheter blockage and requires appropriate clinical assessment.

Important information:

• Bard® Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve

• Reference BFF5

• Sterile

• 180° lever tap

• Pack of 5

• Suitable for appropriate indwelling urethral catheters

• Suitable for appropriate suprapubic catheters

• Suitable for temporary or long-term catheterisation where clinically appropriate

• Designed for intermittent urinary drainage

• Alternative to continuous daytime drainage into a leg bag

• Allows the bladder to fill between emptying episodes

• May help maintain normal bladder capacity and function

• Can be connected to an appropriate night drainage bag

• Can also be used with an appropriate leg bag when required

• Should only be used following appropriate assessment of bladder function

• Not suitable for every catheter user

• Operate at the intervals recommended by the healthcare professional

• Do not allow the bladder to become excessively full

• Ensure the lever is fully closed after drainage

• Maintain good hand hygiene

• Avoid unnecessary catheter-system disconnection

• Keep connected drainage tubing free from kinks

• Manufacturer recommends replacement every 5–7 days

• Replace earlier if damaged

• Seek clinical advice if urine stops draining, leakage develops or symptoms of urinary infection occur

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and individual catheter-care plan

Product details:

• Product: Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve

• Brand: Bard®

• Supplier: Bard Ltd

• Reference / product code: BFF5

• Product type: Catheter valve

• Drainage: Intermittent

• Tap: 180° lever

• Suitable for urethral catheter: Yes, where clinically appropriate

• Suitable for suprapubic catheter: Yes, where clinically appropriate

• Suitable for temporary catheter: Yes

• Suitable for long-term catheter: Yes

• Compatible with drainage bag: Yes, appropriate compatible drainage systems

• Sterile: Yes

• Recommended replacement: Every 5–7 days

• Pack size: 5 catheter valves

• GTIN: 5017462094930

• NHS Drug Tariff: Listed

• Classification: Class I sterile urinary drainage medical device

Order code:

• BFF5 – Bard® Flip-Flo® Sterile Catheter Valve – 180° Lever Tap – Pack of 5

The Bard® Flip-Flo® Catheter Valve BFF5 provides a compact and discreet method of intermittent bladder drainage for appropriately assessed users with urethral or suprapubic indwelling catheters.

Its 180° lever mechanism allows the bladder to be emptied at suitable intervals while retaining the option of connecting an appropriate drainage bag where continuous drainage is required, including overnight.

Catheter valves are not suitable for everyone. Bladder function and the user's ability to manage intermittent drainage should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional before use.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and the individual's catheter-management plan.