Emptying of drain
Authors: Monica Baunbaek, Nurse and Stine Lucich, Nurse. Dept. of Plastic- and Breast Surgery, Roskilde, Zealand, Denmark
Patient presentation: Drains have been placed following axillary lymph node dissection. Everyday at a given exact time the drain should be emptied and drain output measured.
Before and after
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Step 1: Drain emptying after removal of axillary lymph node
When production in the drain is approved for removal, in a certain amount (typically under 50 ml), the drain can be removed
- Make sure the clip between the harmonica and drainage bag is open, to allow free passage.
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Step 2: The harmonica chamber is emptied
The remains of the harmonica chamber is emptied into the drainage bag
- Then make sure you empty the harmonica into the bag. If there is clotage in the drain, make sure to remove this, so you get as much output into the drainage bag as possible.
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Step 3: Drainage bag is emptied
The fluid in the drainage bag is emptied into a cup, for better reading of amount
- The drainage bag is then emptied into a cup, that shows a by markers exactly how many milliliters the drain output consists of.
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Step 4: Amount
Amount is measured, documented and discarded
- The cup is placed to exactly measure the quantity of output produced. This is then documented in the relevant administrative system (for example SP in Region Sjælland and Region Hovedstaden).
