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Interventional Radiology

Home Care Instructions for Catheters

Irrigation or Flushing of Catheter:

Flush your catheter once a day.

STEP 1: Gather the following:

Bottle of Sterile Normal Saline Solution: 500 milliliters (mL) or 1 Liter.
10 mL syringe
Sterile Gauze Sponges

(A prescription is needed for some of these items. Be sure to obtain a prescription before leaving the hospital)

STEP 2: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry with clean towel.

STEP 3: Remove syringe from wrapper and remove small cap from syringe.

STEP 4: Open saline bottle and draw up 10 mL of saline with syringe being careful to place only the tip of the syringe in the saline. Replace bottle cap.

STEP 5: Hold syringe upright and remove any air.

STEP 6: Place syringe on sterile gauze and get into a position that allows you to access your tube. Place another sterile gauze sponge under catheter.

STEP 7: If your tube is connected to a bag for drainage, detach it from the drainage tube. Place the end of drainage tube on gauze beneath catheter.

STEP 8: Holding your catheter tip upright, place end of syringe into the tube or tube cap, secure by twisting to the right, and inject the saline. DO NOT ASPIRATE (PULL BACK) ON THE SYRINGE.

STEP 9: Disconnect the syringe and quickly connect the drainage tube back to your catheter. If your tube is capped, just remove syringe and discard.

STEP 10: Wash hands again.

Dressing Changes:

Change your dressing at least every other day.

Remove dressing before showering.

STEP 1: Gather the following:

Peroxide (see STEP 3)
3 sterile 4"x 4" gauze sponges
Clean Scissors
Tape or Adherent Dressing

STEP 2: Inspect the skin around the tube insertion site for leakage, broken stitches, or signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pus.

STEP 3: Clean skin around tube every other day with a 50% peroxide/50% water solution on gauze sponge. If you wash daily, then substitute regular soap and water on a gauze sponge for the days in-between. You do not need to use sterile water or antibacterial soap. After 2 weeks from the day of initial tube placement, you may discontinue the peroxide altogether and just clean with soap and water at least every other day.

STEP 4: Dry skin off.

STEP 5: If skin around tube appears slightly irritated you may apply a thin layer of antimicrobial ointment to affected area. You can find this in most pharmacies.

STEP 6: Use scissors to cut halfway through 2 gauze sponges.

STEP 7: Apply split sponges in opposite directions around the tube.

STEP 8: Secure these sponges with tape or breathable adherent dressing to skin.

STEP 9: If tube is capped, you may gently coil the external tube and apply a third gauze on top of coiled tube and previous gauze sponges. Secure this to skin as well.

Additional Instructions:

If your tube is not capped, be sure to record the fluid output daily. Subtract the flushes from the total drainage. For example if you see 30 mL of fluid in drainage bag, and you flushed your tube earlier that day with 10 mL of saline, then your drainage is really 20 mL. Always bring the output record with you when you see your doctor.
Showering can be done safely unless instructed otherwise. You may not bathe or swim with your tube unless otherwise instructed.
You do not need to limit physical activity such as jogging, biking, or intercourse unless it causes pain. Make sure tube is secured to skin properly before starting activity.
If you need to make, change, or reschedule an appointment, call (215) 662-4034.
Do not hesitate to contact the Interventional Radiology Staff at (215) 662-4034, if you have any questions or concerns about your tube. If you are calling at night or on a weekend, you may call the Hospital Operator and ask to be connected with the Interventional Radiology Fellow. This number is (215) 662-4000.

Nicole Santaniello, PA-C
Vascular and Interventional Radiology Physician Assistant
(215) 662-4034