Follow These Steps
Caring for Your Drains
You may have any one or several of these drains :
• Bulb / JP – Jackson-Pratt ® drain
• Biliary drain
• G tube
Drains help promote healing and reduce the chance of infection at your wound site . The drain lets fluid out of the wound area . A dressing is used around the drain to absorb the drainage and to keep the site clean and dry . It also protects the drain and wound site . Discuss with your surgeon the reason for and care of your drain .
Changing the Dressing around a Drain
Change your dressing at least once a day or if there is leakage around the drain . If the dressing gets wet or comes loose , change it right away .
When you change the dressing , check how your wound is healing . Look for the signs of infection listed below . Call your doctor or home care nurse right away if you see any of these signs :
• Increased swelling
• Increased redness
• Foul odor
• Yellow or green drainage
• Increase in the amount of drainage in or around the drain
• The drainage changes from a clear fluid to bloody
Gather Your Supplies
• Antibacterial soap and water
• Washcloth and small towel
• Gauze 4 x 4-inch dressings
• Split gauze 4 x 4-inch dressings ( optional )
• Cotton-tipped swabs — for cleaning around the drain
• Paper tape
• Nonsterile gloves
Follow These Steps
You do not need to wear gloves if you are changing your own dressing . If a family member or other support person is changing your dressing , he or she should wear nonsterile gloves . This protects the person from your body fluids .
1 . Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water . Put gloves on , if needed .
2 . Remove the old dressing by peeling each piece of tape loose . Take the old gauze dressings off one layer at a time .
• Be careful not to pull on the drain tube .
• Note the amount and color of drainage on the dressing .
3 . Throw the old dressing in the plastic bag . Remove soiled gloves and throw them in the plastic bag .
4 . Look at the wound and drain sites for these signs of infection :
• Swelling
• Redness
• Yellow or green drainage
• Foul odor
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