Dressing with Drainage Tube

Purpose
• Aids to prevent haematoma or collection of fluid in the affected area.

Equipment
• Sterile kidney dish
• Sterile gallipot
• Sterile Scissors
• 3 Sterile forceps
• Sterile cotton balls
• Sterile gauze
• Anti septic solution as ordered
• Sterile safety pins if needed
• Cotton wool or absorbent
• Receiver
• Rubber sheet and its cover
• Adhesive tape or bandage
• Dressing scissors
• Ointment paste or paraffin gauze
• Spatulas if needed
• One pair sterile gloves if available.

Procedure
Explain procedure to the patient
• Cleanse tray or trolley and organize the needed equipment and make sure it is covered.
• Drape and position the patient according to the need and put rubber sheet and its cover under the part to be dressed
• Remove the outer layer of the dressing
• Use sterile forceps and remove the inner layer of the dressing (pay attention so that the drainage tube is not pulled out with the old dressing)
• Observe the wound for the type and amount of discharge
• Clean the wound with cotton balls soaked in antiseptic solution.
• Grasp the top of the drainage tube with sterile forceps. Pull it up a short distance while using gentle rotation and cut off the tip of the drain with sterile scissors (the length to be cut depends on the instruction or order).
• Place sterile safety pin through the drainage tube close to the wound using sterile gloves or sterile gauze, if it is in the abdomen to stop the drainage tube slipping down out of sight.
• Make sure the wound and the skin around are properly cleaned.
• Apply ointment or paste to the skin with spatula directly around to prevent irritation and excoriation (if the excoriation exists use paraffin gauze to prevent further complications).
• Cut the gauze towards its center to fit around rubber drainage tube, so that it fits properly around the tube thus preventing discomfort.
• Use adhesive tape or bandages to secure the dressing in place.
• Record state of wound and the drainage.

Note.
• Safe method should be used for disposing old dressing. Gauze and cotton used for cleaning wound.
• Take preventive measures to avoid skin irritation and excoriation.
• If drainage tube is attached to the bottle precaution must be taken to secure the tube in place and avoid the risk of cross infection.