How to Change the Stopcock and Draining System on Your Biliary or Abscess Catheter

This video will demonstrate how to change the stopcock and drainage system on your biliary or abscess catheter.

Like your dressing, the stopcock and drainage system need to be changed once a week. Before you start, make sure you have all the supplies you'll need in front of you.

You'll need non-sterile gloves, a three-way stopcock, gauze, a needleless connector, a new drainage bag, and safety pin or strap. You may also find it helpful to have a wastebasket nearby.

The best way to prevent infection is to clean your hands. If you're washing your hands with soap and water, wet your hands. Apply soap, rub them together thoroughly for 15 seconds, then rinse. Dry your hands with a disposable towel and use that same towel to turn off the faucet.

If you're using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, be sure to cover your hands with it, rubbing them together until they're dry.

Cleaning your hands properly, also called hand hygiene, is an important part of caring for your drainage catheter.

Open the packages containing the needleless connector, three-way stopcock, and drainage bag. After opening the packages, wash your hands again.

Remove the protective cover from the base of the needleless connector and attach the needleless connector to the center port of the stopcock. Set the stopcock down.

Remove the drainage bag from the package. Connect the tubing from the drainage bag to the stopcock using a twisting motion.

Turn the blue drainage port at the bottom of the bag clockwise to close it. Place the assembled drainage bag in its package. This will keep it clean until you're ready to connect it to the catheter.

Clean your hands again, then put on gloves.

Remove the UC strip fastener if you haven't already. Remove the safety pin or Velcro strap holding the drainage bag in place. Be sure the new drainage bag is within your reach.

While holding the gauze under the connector, twist off the old stopcock and drainage system from the catheter and throw it away. Ask the patient to hold the catheter on the gauze while you do this.

Quickly attach the new stopcock and drainage system. Make sure the off tab of the stopcock is turned in the direction of the needleless connector.

Now you're ready to secure the new tubing with a new UC strip fastener. Attach the UC strip fastener directly to the drainage bag tubing, not the catheter itself.

Peel the paper off the center section and place the center section of the adhesive onto the drainage bag tubing, about two to four inches down from the stopcock.

Press the adhesive around the drainage bag tubing. The remaining adhesive will stick together.

Select a position for the UC strip fastener. The fastener and drainage bag tubing have to be lower than where the catheter goes into the body in order for it to drain.

Rest the tubing on the abdomen. There should be no pulling or tension on the catheter. You should see a gentle bowing of the catheter.

Remove the backing paper from each side of the UC strip fastener one at a time and smooth the adhesive onto the abdomen. The UC strip fastener will prevent any pulling or tension on the catheter.

Secure your drainage bag with the Velcro strap or a safety pin, whichever is more comfortable for you. You'll probably see fluid draining into the new tubing now. When you have finished, remove your gloves and clean your hands.

To learn more about caring for your biliary or abscess drainage catheter, ask your healthcare provider for written information or visit us online at www.mskcc.org/pe.

You'll find the same written information online, as well as additional videos, including how to flush your drainage catheter, how to empty your drainage catheter, and how to change your dressing.