What is normal JP drain output?

The amount of serosanguineous fluid should decrease each day and the color of the fluid will turn light pink or light yellow. Your surgeon will usually remove the bulb when drainage is below 25 ml per day for two days in a row. On average, JP drains can continue to drain for 1 to 5 weeks.

How do you assess a JP drain?

Home care

1. Lift the opening on the drain.
2. Drain the fluid into a measuring cup.
3. Record the amount of fluid each time you empty the drain.
4. Squeeze the bulb with your hands until you hear air coming out of the bulb if your doctor has instructed you to do so (sometimes the bulb is used as a reservoir without suction).

Can you record the output for both drains together?

You should empty and record the drain output at least twice daily; once in morning and once in evening IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN 1 DRAIN, MAKE SURE TO MEASURE AND RECORD THE DRAINAGE OF EACH ONE SEPARATELY. DO NOT ADD THEM TOGETHER.

What does cloudy JP drainage indicate?

Seek care immediately if: You have cloudy yellow or brown drainage from your JP drain site, or the drainage smells bad.

How often should you empty a JP drain?

Emptying your drain. You will need to empty your Jackson-Pratt drain 2 times a day, in the morning and in the evening.

What is the white stuff in my JP drain?

You may see some air bubbles or pieces that are stringy, white, or bloody in your tubing or drainage container. This is normal. It’s important to make sure the tube doesn’t get clogged. “Milking” the tube may help to move small pieces of tissue or clots out of the tube.

What does an infected JP drain look like?

It is important to watch the skin around the drain for signs of possible infection: increased redness, pain, or swelling; fever greater than 101 °F; cloudy yellow, tan, or foul-smelling drainage. Any closed suction drain system, like the Jackson-Pratt, can become clogged with fibrin or clot.

What color is serous drainage?

Serosanguinous drainage is thin, like water. It usually has a light red or pink tinge, though it may look clear in some cases. Its appearance depends on how much clotted red blood is mixed with serum. To better understand serosanguinous drainage, it helps to know the various components of blood.

Can I shower with a JP drain?

You may shower after you remove the bandage but don’t take a tub bath or submerge the area in water (such as in a bathtub or swimming pool) until your incision is completely closed and there is no drainage. Wash the site gently with soap and rinse the area with warm water. Pat the area dry.

Can a JP drain be left in too long?

Most drains are left in place for two to three weeks, but some may be removed before you leave the hospital and others may need to be left in place for longer than three weeks. The risk of infection, however, begins to increase rapidly after they have been in place for 21 days.