Saturday, February 13, 2016

The Steps To Be Followed In Surgical Drain Management

By Nancy Hamilton


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 professional can be able to tell the type of fluid and its characteristics by analyzing it. The step is very crucial for proper identification of the problem. The drains have to be maintained well. If this is not the case, they will not achieve their purpose.

The purpose, site and type of drain will dictate the management procedure. Nonetheless, the instructions given by the doctor should be followed. A care provider should follow protocol in executing the duties. Any issue that is ambiguous should be clarified. Referring to the notes made by the surgeon is resourceful in avoidance of serious mistakes.

The drains are either closed or open. Corrugated rubber and plastic sheets are the main materials used in manufacture of these drains. A stoma bag or gauze is placed at the end of the conduit. The risk for infection is high in this case. Thus, appropriate measures to ensure that the patient is free of infection throughout his or her stay there is essential. Closed conduits lower this risk. However, they are mainly used in abdominal, orthopedic and chest operations.

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 charting the amount and type of fluid released is essential. Odd observations and even significant changes should be relayed to the appropriate person. If this is not done, the problems will blow up and a life might be lost. The common fluids discharged from the site include bile, pancreatic secretions and even blood.

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.

The removal process should be initiated the moment active drainage stops. Withdrawing the drain at once can cause drastic changes. Thus, it is good to remove it gradually. The surgeon should withdraw at least 2 centimeters each day until the whole conduit is out. The undertaking allows for gradual healing of the site. Therefore, the patient will not have to worry about wound reawakening after he or she has gone home.




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