How do I keep my nephrostomy catheter from getting blocked so that I won’t get a kidney infection?
A. You cannot completely avoid the possibility that your nephrostomy catheter will get blocked. However, the instructions listed below can minimize the risk: • If your nephrostomy catheter drains urine into an external drainage bag, rinse the bag out with water every day. It is best to have two bags so that you can wear one while you are rinsing the other one. • Apply antibiotic ointment to the skin around the catheter after each time you clean it. • Keep your appointments to have your nephrostomy catheter changed. In most cases, the catheter is changed every two to three months. Changing the catheter helps to prevent catheter blockage. The longer the catheter is in, the more likely it is to get blocked. It is much easier to change the catheter than it is to place the original catheter. This change can usually be done as an outpatient.
