Page 38 - UNC MC Assistive Personnel Orientation Manual 2020

Emptying JP/Hemovac Drains

Performed by the RN, LPN or NA.

You will need:
 Alcohol wipe
 Gauze
 Gloves
 Saline

Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves.

 Unplug the pour spout to release the negative pressure vacuum. The spout
should point away from your face.
 Cleanse the plug with an alcohol wipe.
 Squeeze the drainage device gently and slowly,
 Empty the fluid into a graduated measuring device.
 Cleanse the plug with an alcohol wipe.
 Squeeze suction unit tightly to remove air.
 Compress and close the outlet port.
 Strip drainage tube as per LIP order, from patient to drainage reservoir to
help maintain patency if pliable.
 Empty and measure drainage every shift or more frequently if needed.
 Perform site care, as ordered by LIP, every day by cleansing skin with saline
and apply a dry gauze dressing.

Continue to perform care after drain is removed until wound heals.

 Document in patient’s electronic medical record
 Site of wound catheter
 Type of suction apparatus (compressed unit)
 Character/amount of drainage
 Patient’s response

 Do not raise the drainage device above the surgical site when emptying.
 Suction is active as long as the container is compressed.
 DO NOT tape or otherwise modify the device to compress the reservoir.

Notify the nurse if device does not maintain suction after unit is compressed.

Reference:
Wound Management
Nursing Practice and Professional Development / Assistive Personnel Orientation 2020 Page 35