Q. What does he (a patient hospitalized) do (in regards to tefilos, sh’ma and Torah learning) if he suffers from urinary incontinence?

A. In regards to a patient that suffers from urinary incontinence and he constantly drips and would therefore be unable to pray or recite sh’ma forever, Mishna Berura (80: 4) quotes the Remoh (teshuvo 98). He writes that one should place a cloth or sponge around one’s organ, and then it is as if the urine is contained in a pocket, as he has no other choice it is permitted, if he could control himself at least at the beginning of the prayer. Melamed Lehoil (O.H. 7 seems to permit even when he is unable to stop at all, Chelkas Yaakov (O.H. 31) as he understands from Chaye Odom, agrees. However, Mishne Halochos (2: 61) prohibits.

Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if the patient can feel when he discharges urine, he should at that time stop his praying or learning. If he is unaware, he is still permitted to pray and learn Torah.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a