Health Library

Suprapubic Catheter Care

How to Clean a Suprapubic Catheter?

Follow the steps below to clean the area where the catheter enters your child's body.

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.

2. Once a day, use a warm, wet soapy washcloth to clean the catheter and the skin around it. Be careful that you do not pull on the catheter.

3. If there is any dried blood or mucous around the catheter that does not come off with soap and water, you can use half-strength hydrogen peroxide to clean around the catheter. Mix the same amount of hydrogen peroxide and tap water to make the half-strength peroxide. Pour some of the peroxide mix on a cotton ball, gauze pad or Q-tip and wipe gently on the skin around the catheter.

4. Wipe the peroxide solution off the skin with a cloth moistened with water. Pat dry with a towel.

5. You may place a split gauze dressing over the catheter site if you wish. It is not required, but some people feel more comfortable using the split gauze pad.

How to Bathe with a Suprapubic Catheter?

While your child has the SP catheter, they will need to take a sponge bath or shower. Do not put your child in a bathtub or swimming pool while they have the tube in. Baths and swimming are not allowed.

How to Empty a Suprapubic Catheter Bag?

The drainage bag must be emptied at least every eight hours even if it is not full. If the bag is small and fills quickly, it should be emptied when the bag is two-thirds full. To empty the bag, put a container under the bottom drain spout and open the spout to let all the urine drain out.

When emptying the bag, be careful not to touch the bottom of the spout to the container into which it is being drained. Also, do not touch the tip of the spout with your hands. Once the bag is empty, do not forget to close the drain spout again.

How to Change a Suprapubic Catheter Bag?

If you will be changing drainage bags while at home, the nurse will show you how to do this. You might change between smaller leg bags during the day and the large drain bag at night.

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.

2. Remove the bag from the catheter. Put the new drainage bag tubing into the catheter.

3. If you are reusing a bag, when you change bags, the top of the bag that goes into the catheter should be covered with a sterile cap or gauze. The bag must be kept in a clean place.

4. When you change between two different bags, wipe the top connecting part of the bag with an alcohol wipe before you connect it to the tube.

What Are Some Tips for Caring for Your Childs Suprapubic Catheter?

• Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder so the urine does not back up.

• A leg bag will allow you to wear regular clothes and be free for gentle play or work. Remember that, because a leg bag is small, it will need to be emptied often.

• Be sure there are no kinks or sharp bends in the tubing that may block the urine draining from the bladder to the bag.

• If the drainage bag becomes dirty or smelly, it needs to be changed. If there is a hole in the bag or tubing, it also needs to be changed. If you do not have extra bags, call your urologist’s office or your supply company to request more bags.

• Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids. The urine should be light yellow and clear.

Call Your Child's Doctor If:

• The urine has a foul smell, changes color or is bloody
• Urine leaks around the catheter or from the tubing
• Your child complains of pain in the back, sides or belly
• Your child has a fever
• Your child is vomiting