It is important to protect the dressing from splashing.
Shower:
Before the catheter site is healed (up to 6 weeks after catheter insertion) AND your healthcare team has given permission OR at any time if the skin is not intact (red, broken, etc.): no showering allowed, unless otherwise directed by your healthcare team.
When the site is well healed (approximately 6 weeks or more after catheter insertion) AND your healthcare team has given authorization: showering allowed once a day OR a minimum of three times a week with the catheter dressing covered with a second waterproof protective dressing (eg, transparent adhesive film such as Opsite® or Tegaderm®) OR with the catheter site exposed to the air.
AVOID except for infants only when the site is well healed (approximately 6 weeks or more after catheter insertion) AND your healthcare team has given permission: bathing then allowed daily OR minimum three times a week with the catheter dressing covered with a second waterproof protective dressing (eg, transparent adhesive film such as Opsite® or Tegaderm®).
The water level in the bathtub should NEVER touch the dressing; it is important to protect it from splashing.
If the catheter dressing below the protective dressing gets wet during the bath, change it immediately.
Swimming:
Follow your healthcare team’s instructions for swimming; they may be different depending on the child’s condition.
Your child can swim in a private pool or in salt water (sea, ocean).
It is not recommended that your child swim in a public pool, lake or river because there is a risk of infection at the catheter site and the possibility of peritonitis (infection inside the abdomen).
Wrap the catheter with a 4″ by 4″ sterilecompress and cover the catheter dressing with a second protective waterproof dressing (eg, Opsite® or Tegaderm® type clear adhesive film).
Your child cannot swim if the skin around the catheter insertion site is not intact (is red, broken, etc.).
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