What is a closed wound drainage system?
Closed wound suction drainage is used to enhance wound healing and minimize post-operative complications. Wound drainage systems are designed to allow enough moisture to remain in tissues to promote regeneration and lessen inflammation, while removing excess exudate or material that may hamper the healing process.
How do I empty a wound drainage bag?
How Should I Empty My Surgical Drains?
- Wash your hands well in soapy water.
- Open the plug on the reservoir without touching the inside of the plug.
- Gently squeeze the reservoir to empty the fluid into the measuring cup.
- Re-create the vacuum inside the reservoir by squeezing it flat and then replacing the plug.
How do you empty a closed wound drainage system?
Closed systems must be emptied and measured at least once every shift and cleaned using sterile technique according to agency protocol. Drainage tubes consist of silastic tubes with perforations to allow fluid to drain from the surgical wound site, or separate puncture holes close to the surgical area.
How often do wound drainage devices need to be emptied?
The drain should be emptied as often as possible so that the bulb can be compressed fully to maintain suction. In general, this is usually done every four to six hours the first few days until the amount decreases.
What are the most likely complications of a closed suction wound drains?
Closed suction drains can become clogged or lose suction, causing drain failure. Fenestrated drains placed in the abdominal cavity can become occluded by omentum. To decrease the risk for omental occlusion, the drain can be placed between the liver and the diaphragm (FIGURE 9).
What color should wound drainage be?
Color is generally clear to pale yellow (normal), red (fresh blood), brown (dried or old blood), white (see above), or blue-green (usually indicative of Pseudomonas infection and should be cultured). The amount of drainage is generally documented as absent, scant, minimal, moderate, large, or copious.
What kind of drainage indicates infection?
Purulent Wound Drainage Purulent drainage is a sign of infection. It’s a white, yellow, or brown fluid and might be slightly thick in texture.
When would you be concerned that a drain via suction is not working?
When to Call the Doctor Stitches that hold the drain to your skin are coming loose or are missing. The tube falls out. Your temperature is 100.5°F (38.0°C) or higher. Your skin is very red where the tube comes out (a small amount of redness is normal).
What Colour is an infected wound?
Purulent Wound Drainage Purulent drainage is a sign of infection. It’s a white, yellow, or brown fluid and might be slightly thick in texture. It’s made up of white blood cells trying to fight the infection, plus the residue from any bacteria pushed out of the wound.