Catheter, Ostomy and Drain Care at Home in Los Angeles
Going home with a urinary catheter, an ostomy or a drain such as a PleurX may mean you need skilled nursing support. At Ideal Choice Home Health, our nurses provide physician-ordered care at home, teach patients and caregivers how to manage care between visits, and keep physicians informed.
- Your doctor orders careWe’ll help get the referral
- We check your coverageMedicare typically pays 100%
- Care starts at homeNursing visits often within 48 hours
Our nurses can insert or change certain urinary catheters at home when ordered and clinically appropriate. For PleurX, nephrostomy and other drainage systems placed in a hospital or procedure setting, we provide ongoing care such as drainage, dressing changes and patient education. We do not place these drainage tubes at home.
These services are part of our skilled nursing care and are coordinated with your home health plan of care.
What Care at Home Includes
Urinary catheter care
- Foley catheter care and Foley or suprapubic catheter changes as ordered by your physician
- Insertion of certain urinary catheters at home, including for short-term needs, when ordered and clinically appropriate
- Intermittent catheterization when ordered, including bladder emptying or urine specimen collection when clinically appropriate
- Monitoring catheter function, urine output and the insertion area during nursing visits, as clinically appropriate
- Drainage bag care and teaching patients or caregivers how to manage the catheter safely
- Catheter irrigation when ordered
- Education about catheter hygiene, daily care and changes that should be reported
Ostomy care
- Assessment of the stoma and surrounding skin during nursing visits, as clinically appropriate
- Ostomy pouch and appliance changes, pouching support and skin care
- Guidance on ostomy supplies and coordination with the care plan
- Teaching patients and caregivers about pouch changes, skin protection and when to contact the care team
- Care for colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy needs, as ordered
PleurX, nephrostomy and other drain care
- PleurX drainage according to physician orders, with documentation
- Dressing changes and site assessments for PleurX and other prescribed drainage systems
- Nephrostomy tube care and maintenance of other existing drainage systems, when ordered and clinically appropriate
- Teaching patients and caregivers how to protect and manage drainage systems between visits
- Monitoring for changes and communicating concerns to the physician
Across these services, our nurses also monitor for potential complications — for example fever, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, redness, swelling, warmth, unusual drainage or new pain — coordinate appropriate supplies and communicate with your physician and care team.
Nursing procedures and visit schedules follow your physician's orders, clinical needs and authorized home health plan of care.
Devices and Conditions We Care For
Our nurses provide care for patients with:
- Indwelling urinary catheters, including Foley catheters
- Suprapubic catheters
- Short-term urinary catheter needs
- Intermittent catheterization needs, including bladder emptying and urine specimen collection
- Colostomies, ileostomies and urostomies
- PleurX drainage systems
- Nephrostomy tubes
- Other prescribed drainage systems evaluated individually for home care
All procedures are performed when ordered and clinically appropriate.
Don't see your device or condition listed? Contact us to discuss your care needs.
How This Care Fits With the Rest of Your Care
Catheter, ostomy and drain care are coordinated with the other services in your home health plan of care.
Your skilled nursing visits may also include medication education, ordered laboratory work and other medically necessary nursing services. When a related wound needs skilled care, see wound care. For medications given through a vascular access device, see IV infusion therapy and PICC and central line care.
More Than a Catheter or Drain Visit
Caring for your catheter, ostomy or drain is only one part of your care.
If your device, stoma or condition changes, our nurses communicate with your physician and coordinate the next steps. We also work with your supply vendor or DME company when equipment or supplies are involved.
Our focus is on keeping your care connected through clear communication and attentive coordination.
How Home Health Care Is Different
Home health catheter, ostomy and drain care is skilled medical care provided through scheduled nursing visits under a physician-authorized plan of care.
Unlike clinic appointments, home health nursing brings care to eligible patients in their own homes. It differs from nonmedical caregiving and does not replace your physician's ongoing treatment or follow-up appointments.
Home health is not 24-hour care. Your nurse visits according to your plan of care and teaches you or your caregivers what to do between visits.
When included in your home health plan of care, a home health aide may also assist with bathing, grooming, dressing and personal hygiene.
For Referring Physicians and Discharge Planners
To help coordinate catheter, ostomy or drain care at home, please provide:
- Device type and relevant placement or surgery dates
- Current orders for catheter changes, irrigation, drainage or ostomy appliance care
- Drainage volume and frequency instructions when applicable
- Site-care and dressing instructions
- Supply vendor or DME information when known
- Associated laboratory or culture orders when applicable
Our intake team can help clarify missing information and coordinate with your office.
Physicians can access our referral form on the physicians page.
Ideal Choice accepts completed physician referral forms and supporting clinical documents by:
- Fax: (747) 877-8441
- Approved secure email: referrals@idealchoicehomehealth.com
Phone (747) 877-8440 is for referral questions and coordination.
Do not send patient information through ordinary email, website forms or chat.
Serving Sherman Oaks and Greater Los Angeles
Ideal Choice Home Health is located at 14852 Ventura Blvd, Suite 207, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.
We primarily serve Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, as well as parts of Ventura and Orange counties.
Call to confirm service in your ZIP code. Learn about our home health care in Sherman Oaks.
How often will my catheter, ostomy appliance or drain be changed?
Your physician's orders, device type and clinical needs determine the care schedule. Your nurse follows the authorized plan of care.
Who provides catheters, ostomy supplies or PleurX bottles?
Some catheter supplies may be coordinated through Ideal Choice when appropriate. PleurX supplies and certain other drainage supplies are typically arranged through a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier. Our team helps clarify supply arrangements and coordinates with your physician and supplier as needed.
Will you teach my caregiver or family member?
Yes. Our nurses teach patients and caregivers about care between visits, changes to watch for and when to contact the care team. Written or video guidance may also be provided when appropriate.
Do you manage PleurX drains at home?
Yes. Our nurses perform ordered PleurX drainage, dressing changes, site checks and patient or caregiver education. They document care and communicate relevant concerns to your physician.
What should I watch for between visits?
Your nurse will explain which changes to report — for example fever, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, redness, swelling, warmth, unusual drainage or new pain around a catheter, stoma or drain site. Contact your care team promptly with concerns. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Can catheter care alone qualify me for Medicare home health?
Having a catheter, ostomy or drain does not automatically establish eligibility for Medicare home health services. Under Original Medicare, patients generally must be homebound, need qualifying intermittent skilled nursing or therapy, and meet Medicare's certification and plan-of-care requirements. Visit our insurance page for additional information.
How soon can care start?
We work to arrange care promptly once we receive the referral and eligibility is confirmed.
Will you communicate with my physician?
Yes. Our nurses report relevant changes in your device, stoma, drain or condition and coordinate with your physician and other members of your care team.
How to Get Started
A physician's order is required.
Ask your physician or hospital discharge planner to refer you to Ideal Choice Home Health, or contact us and we'll help coordinate with your physician.
We work to arrange care promptly once we receive the referral and eligibility is confirmed.
Your care coordinator will contact you to schedule your first nursing visit.
Call or text (747) 877-8440. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM. For a medical emergency, call 911. We accept Original Medicare and also work with the VA and select Medicare Advantage plans on a case-by-case basis. Contact us to verify coverage. See insurance.