Access Planning
Understanding Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters
A peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter makes PD treatment possible. In this video, you'll discover what to expect during the catheter placement procedure and how to care for your access to avoid complications.
Key takeaways:
- A peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter is what makes PD possible, and needs to be placed before starting PD treatment.
- PD catheter placement is a minor, minimally invasive procedure where a soft tube is placed in your abdomen.
- Dialysate flows in and out of your abdomen through the PD catheter during treatment.
- Once the access site heals (about 2 weeks), a nurse will teach you to use your PD catheter and care for the access site.
- Checking daily for signs of infection is an important part of access care.
