Loading
Peritoneal dialysis catheter care — the exit-site routine, showering rules, the signs of peritonitis, and why the catheter is the most preventable complication in PD.
Evidence reviewed & updated: 2026-08 — reflects the latest published trials and guidelines.
The PD catheter is peritoneal dialysis' single point of failure — most PD technique failures trace back to exit-site infections and peritonitis, and most of those are preventable with a disciplined care routine. The essentials: a weekly exit-site wash with antibacterial soap, strict hand hygiene before every exchange, and knowing the four signs of peritonitis.
The exit site is a permanent wound — it needs weekly (or per-protocol) care: wash gently with antibacterial soap and water, rinse thoroughly, pat dry (no rubbing), and keep the catheter taped so it can't tug. A clean, dry, secure exit site stays quiet for years; a neglected one becomes the infection pathway.
Your PD team should have a written care protocol and an exit-site assessment chart — use both; consistency beats intensity.
Peritonitis is the complication that kills PD programs — and its signs are patient-detectable: (1) cloudy drained fluid, (2) abdominal pain or tenderness, (3) fever, (4) nausea or feeling unwell. Cloudy fluid alone is enough to call — do NOT wait for pain or fever, and do NOT start 'home remedies' with antibiotic ointments or fluids.
Rapid treatment preserves the peritoneum as a dialysis surface; delay converts a treatable infection into technique failure.
Showering: protect the exit site with a shower cover or secure dressing; tub baths and swimming are generally off-limits (confirm with your unit — some allow swimming with fully healed exits and special dressings). Clothing: loose, cotton; keep belts away from the exit site.
Lifestyle: PD is compatible with work and travel — cyclers run overnight; bag delivery follows you. The catheter doesn't end activity — it demands discipline.
Peritonitis remains the Achilles heel of PD programs. The ISPD 2022 guidelines set the framework: prevention bundles (tr...
Learn moreCAPD uses 4-5 manual exchanges per day (30 min each); APD uses an automated cycler overnight while the patient sleeps. B...
Learn moreDialysis at home means doing treatment in your own home instead of a clinic — through peritoneal dialysis (PD, using you...
Learn moreYour dialysis access is your lifeline — and its #1 enemy is infection, followed by clotting and narrowing. The at-home r...
Learn moreZuvFlo is ready to integrate with your facility to streamline operations, automate compliance, and deliver better patient care.
No credit card required • Setup in under 2 hours • Cancel anytime
Advertisement