CARE OF DRAINAGE TUBE

REQUIREMENTS #

1. A trolley containing the following:
   1. Top shelf (a Sterile field with the following sterile items)
      1. Two (2) or three (3) gallipots for lotions
      2. Two (2) kidney dish
      3. Two (2) pairs of dressing forceps
      4. Two (2) pairs of dissecting forceps
      5. Sinus forceps
      6. Probe
      7. Sterile pair of scissors
   2. Bottom shelf with the following:
      1. Dressing lotion
      2. Sterile cotton and gauze swab in a drum/pack
      3. Mackintosh and dressing towel
      4. Adhesive tape/strip
      5. Bandage
      6. A pair of scissors
      7. Apron
      8. Disposable gloves
      9. Sterile gloves
      10. Receiver for used dressings

STEPS #

1. Establish rapport
2. Explain procedure to patient and reassure him/her
3. Provide privacy
4. Perform hand hygiene
5. Prepare and send tray to patient’s bedside
6. Protect bed linen with dressing mackintosh and towel
7. Position patient to expose wound site and fold over bed clothing
8. Wear disposable gloves and open wound
9. Remove soiled dressing from the wound and assess the wound for signs of healing and leakage of exudate
10. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene
11. Wear sterile gloves
12. Grasp the protruding end of the drainage tube with an artery forceps and clip/clamp the tube in position
13. Remove any stitch holding the drainage tube in position with the scissors
14. Gently turn/twist the drainage tube with the wound to loose it if it is a tubular drain
15. Use the forceps gently to pull the drain out of the wound for a distance
16. Cut the excess tubing off with sterile scissor if it is a corrugated/penrose drain
17. Swab with cleansing lotion until clean
18. Apply sterile dressing and apply adhesive strips/plaster
19. Note amount of drainage and document
20. Dispose off used items, decontaminate trolley and instruments
21. Document findings in patient’s chart