Component Task: Removal of Drainage Tube

This is a process by which a nurse removes a drainage tube from a wound once the exudates has stopped or becomes less than about 25 ml/day. Drains can be 'shortened' by withdrawing them gradually every day until it is removed completely. Removal of a drain is usually ordered by a doctor or done according to hospital protocol.

Aims

Prevent infection and the delay of wound healing

Requirements

A trolley containing the following:

a.      Top shelf (a Sterile field with the following sterile items)

·         Two (2) or three (3) gallipots for lotions

·         Two (2) kidney dish

·         Two (2) pairs of dressing forceps

·         Two (2) pairs of dissecting forceps

·         Sinus forceps

·         Probe

·         Stitch cutter or scissors

b.      Bottom shelf with the following:

·         Dressing lotion

·         Sterile cotton and gauze swab in a drum/pack

·         Mackintosh and dressing towel

·         Adhesive tape/strip

·         Bandage

·         Scissors

·         Apron

·         Disposable gloves

·         Sterile gloves

·         Receiver for used dressings

·         Receiver

·         Measuring cup

Steps

1.        Confirm order from doctor(s)’ notes

2.      Establish rapport with patient

3.      Explain procedure to the patient

4.      Provide privacy

5.      Perform hand hygiene

6.      Prepare and send trolley to the bedside

7.       Position patient

8.      Protect bed with mackintosh and dressing towel

9.      Wear disposable gloves and note the amount of drain in the bag

10.    Remove dressing

11.      Dispose off gloves and perform hand hygiene

12.    Wear sterile gloves

13.    Clean and dry the incision and drainage site with sterile dressing gauze

14.    Carefully cut and remove the securing suture

15.    While holding sterile gauze in non-dominant hand, stabilize skin

16.    Ask patient to take a deep breath and remove the drainage

17.    Firmly group the drainage tube close to the skin with dominant hand and steady motion withdraw the drain

18.    Stop procedure and inform doctor if resistance occurs

19.    Dress the wound with sterile dressing

20.  Apply pressure with gauze and adhesive tape

21.    Remove mackintosh and dressing towel

22.  Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene

23.  Dispose off used item, decontaminate trolley

24.  Document appropriately in nurses notes, input and output chart (manually or electronically)

25.  Report any findings to the appropriate officer