Discharge Instructions: Caring for Your Jackson-Pratt Drainage Tube

Your doctor discharges you with a Jackson-Pratt drainage tube. Doctors commonly leave this drain within the abdominal cavity after surgery. It helps to prevent swelling and reduces he risk for infection. The tube is held in place by a few stitches. It is covered with a bandage. Your doctor will remove the drain when he or she determines you no longer need it.

Empty the bulb.

Clean and reconnect the bulb.

Clean the site.

Home Care

• Don’t sleep on the same side as the tube.

• Secure the tube and bag inside your clothing with a safety pin. This helps keep the tube from being pulled out.

• Empty your drain at least twice a day. Empty it more often if the drain is full.

  • Lift the opening on the drain.

  • Drain the fluid into a measuring cup.

  • Record the amount of fluid each time you empty the drain. Share this information with your doctor on your next visit.

  • Squeeze the bulb with your hands until you hear air coming out of the bulb.

  • Close the opening.

• Change the dressing around the tube every day.

  • Wash your hands.

  • Remove the old bandage.

  • Wash your hands again.

  • Wet a cotton swab (Q-tip) and clean the skin around the incision and tube site. Use normal saline solution (salt and water). It is also acceptable to use warm, soapy water, or dilute peroxide.

  • Put a new bandage on the incision and tube site. Make the bandage large enough to cover the whole incision area.

  • Tape the bandage in place.

• Tape plastic wrap over the bandage and tube site when you shower.

• “Stripping” the tube helps keep blood clots from blocking the tube. Ask your nurse how often you should strip the tube. However, depending on where and why your doctor placed the tube, stripping may not be necessary. It may even be dangerous in some cases. 

  • Hold the tubing where it leaves the skin, with one hand. This keeps it from pulling on the skin.

  • Pinch the tubing with the thumb and first finger of your other hand.

  • Slowly and firmly pull your thumb and first finger down the tubing. (If the pulling hurts or feels like it’s coming out of the skin, stop. Begin again more gently.)

Follow-up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.