Kidney Disease: How to Take Care of Your PD Catheter

Picture of the process of peritoneal dialysis

Before you start peritoneal dialysis, your doctor will create a site where dialysis solution can flow into and out of your body. For peritoneal dialysis, your doctor will place a soft tube, or catheter, in your belly. This is your peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter. The place where the catheter comes out of your body is the exit site.

You will play an important part in protecting your PD catheter. By learning how to care for your catheter, you will help avoid problems and get the best results from your dialysis treatments.

Care for a new PD access

After your PD access is created:

  • Keep your bandage dry and clean. Change a dirty or bloody bandage.
  • Watch for signs of problems. Call your doctor or dialysis team right away if you have signs of infection or if you have more bleeding from the exit site than you were told to expect.
  • Avoid exercise until the exit site has healed or your doctor says it is okay.
  • You may be able to bathe or shower if you cover the exit site with a waterproof bandage. Ask your doctor or dialysis nurse.

General care guidelines

Your PD nurse will teach you how to take care of your access and do your treatments.

Some basic precautions can help you protect your PD catheter:

  • Keep your exit site clean and dry, and check it every day for signs of infection.
  • Keep the end of your catheter covered when it is not in use.
  • Always wash your hands before you touch your catheter.
  • Fasten or tape the catheter to your body to prevent pulling.
  • Never use scissors or other sharp objects around your catheter.
  • Do not use unapproved clamps on your catheter.
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects.
  • Avoid swimming and bathing unless your dialysis team has told you it is okay. Always clean and dry your catheter and exit site right away after you get wet.
  • Avoid clothing that rubs or pulls on your catheter.
  • Avoid bending or crimping your catheter.
  • Review the emergency instructions with your dialysis team so you know what to do if your catheter comes out.

When to call your doctor

Keep the phone numbers of your doctor and dialysis center with you at all times. Call your doctor or dialysis team right away if you have any signs of infection, such as:

  • You have increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • You have red streaks leading from the exit site.
  • You have blood or pus draining from the exit site.
  • You have a fever.
  • You have pain in your belly.
  • Your dialysis solution looks cloudy or bloody.

Call anytime you think your catheter is not working or you notice changes in your exit site.