Drains have been used post-operation since the ancient times. Their main purpose is to aid in the decompression of the surgical side. Air and fluids accumulate in the site many a times if this is not done. Thus, the patient can develop serious complications. Read on to know more about surgical drain management.
The caregiver can analyze the fluid characteristics to make the proper diagnosis. In addition, a lot of information can be gotten from evaluating the color of the fluid. Maintenance of the conduits is essential to avoid serious problems.
The management is usually governed by the location, purpose and type of the conduit. However, the instructions and preferences of the surgeon ought to be followed. It is good for the care provider to ask for written protocols from the surgeon to ensure that everything is followed to the latter.
The conduits are either closed or open. Corrugated rubber and also plastic are the major products used in production of the drains. They empty into stoma bags or gauze pads. The situation increases the chances of infection. It is upon the care provider to plan the care process to minimize this. Closed conduits are seen mainly in patients who have undergone chest, orthopedic or abdominal operations. The risk of suffering from infections is low when these drains are placed.
Active drains work under suction. However, the passive ones utilize the difference in pressure in the various cavities in the body and the external environment. Rubber drains induce tissue reactions and they should be avoided. Loose drains can be dislodged with ease. When this happens, the patient can die within a short time due to the introduction of air into the internal space.
Reading and recording the amount of fluid draining from the sites is crucial. In addition, odd observations and alarming levels of drainage should be noted. Communication to the entire team providing the care process is essential. Problems can be handled way in advance before the issue becomes serious. The common fluids discharged include bile, blood and pancreatic contents.
When the amount of discharge is monitored, the professional will be able to tell the amount of intravenous fluids to administer to compensate for the lost fluid. Patients can go into shock when the level of fluids in the body is too low. Proper management can give the care provider information about the right time to remove the drains. To note is that conduits which remain in-situ long after their objective is achieved cause unnecessary trauma to the patient and increase suffering.
They tubes should not be removed at once. When this is done, the wound is not given enough time to heal. The patient should pull out 2 cm every day until the whole tube is out. The wound will have time to heal. However, removal of the entire drain in one day will interfere with healing. The patient might suffer from acute pain upon discharge. He or she will have to return to the hospital for further management.
The caregiver can analyze the fluid characteristics to make the proper diagnosis. In addition, a lot of information can be gotten from evaluating the color of the fluid. Maintenance of the conduits is essential to avoid serious problems.
The management is usually governed by the location, purpose and type of the conduit. However, the instructions and preferences of the surgeon ought to be followed. It is good for the care provider to ask for written protocols from the surgeon to ensure that everything is followed to the latter.
The conduits are either closed or open. Corrugated rubber and also plastic are the major products used in production of the drains. They empty into stoma bags or gauze pads. The situation increases the chances of infection. It is upon the care provider to plan the care process to minimize this. Closed conduits are seen mainly in patients who have undergone chest, orthopedic or abdominal operations. The risk of suffering from infections is low when these drains are placed.
Active drains work under suction. However, the passive ones utilize the difference in pressure in the various cavities in the body and the external environment. Rubber drains induce tissue reactions and they should be avoided. Loose drains can be dislodged with ease. When this happens, the patient can die within a short time due to the introduction of air into the internal space.
Reading and recording the amount of fluid draining from the sites is crucial. In addition, odd observations and alarming levels of drainage should be noted. Communication to the entire team providing the care process is essential. Problems can be handled way in advance before the issue becomes serious. The common fluids discharged include bile, blood and pancreatic contents.
When the amount of discharge is monitored, the professional will be able to tell the amount of intravenous fluids to administer to compensate for the lost fluid. Patients can go into shock when the level of fluids in the body is too low. Proper management can give the care provider information about the right time to remove the drains. To note is that conduits which remain in-situ long after their objective is achieved cause unnecessary trauma to the patient and increase suffering.
They tubes should not be removed at once. When this is done, the wound is not given enough time to heal. The patient should pull out 2 cm every day until the whole tube is out. The wound will have time to heal. However, removal of the entire drain in one day will interfere with healing. The patient might suffer from acute pain upon discharge. He or she will have to return to the hospital for further management.
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