Instructions for changing a Nephrostomy Tube Dressing Dressings can be changed 1-2 times a week or when soiled. Supplies needed: 4x4 gauze pad, medical tape, clean washcloth, antiseptic soap (e.g. Dial) Wash your hands before you handle the nephrostomy tube.

Understanding the Context

Clean around the tube and change the dressing daily or as instructed by your care team. Also change the dressing if it becomes wet or dirty. Keep the drainage bag lower than your kidney to keep urine from backing up. Prior to discharge from hospital the nursing staff will show you how to care for your nephrostomy tube and ensure you have plenty of equipment.

Key Insights

A referral to your community nursing team will be made to support you with your bag and dressing changes once you are at home. Educational video to show home-based primary care staff how to change a nephrostomy dressing. To change the dressing: Take off the old dressing. Check where the tube enters your skin for redness, swelling, and drainage. Look at the tube for bends or kinks.

Final Thoughts

Clean your skin around the tube with soap and water. Pat your skin dry with gauze. Put dry, folded, or rolled gauze all around the tube. Cover the area with tape like in this picture. During the dressing change, the skin around the tube should be examined for any redness, swelling or pus. If this is present, it should be reported to your doctor.

On the day of a dressing change, you can shower without a dressing on. Turn the stopcock off to the flushing port and open to the bag. It will also be important to change the dressing and clean around the tube every two to three days. You may shower with the drain, but you must change the dressing immediately after showering to keep the dressing clean and dry.