Taking care of your catheter

How to take care of a catheter?

Catheters require care to keep them protected, free of infections and working well.

Cleanliness helps prevent infections
It is very important to always keep your catheter exit site clean and dry. This may mean you cannot swim, take showers or soaking baths. You will need to carefully wash without getting your unhealed catheter exit site wet.
Your dialysis care team will teach you how to protect your when it is not being used for dialysis. You will also be taught to check regularly for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pain, pus or fever. Call your dialysis care team right away if you think you may have an infection.
Special precautions such as wearing a nose and mouth covering masks whenever your catheter is being accessed will help prevent microbial contaminating of the catheter or the exit site. Your dialysis care team members must also wear a mask covering their nose and mouth and always wash their hands and wear clean gloves when caring for your access.

Protect your catheter
Because your catheter exits and extends from your body, you’ll need to be careful not to pull on it or tug it, or the protective dressing. Be gentle around your catheter when getting dressed and undressed or removing a blanket or covering. Always keep sharp instruments, such as scissors or blades, away from your catheter.

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