[tazski12]

I know it's a case to case basis. Can you share your experience? What about those blake tubes... those are not so friendly to do... or not to anyways.

Taz.

[yankeecamper]

Milking Chest tubes is not a recommended practice. It increases pressure and can cause tissue damage.

[tazski12]

I understand that. I truly do. But....!!!! Is it not, on those very moment when you got to do what you've got to... when a PACU nurse has to fix the problem ... as that is mostly our forte is (I think) ... how safely should it be done??

Oh well.

I guess we just have to be just really really truly really careful on the actions we take.

Thank you!

[NRSKarenRN]

Advice from our expert friends at www.icufaqs.org:

Chest Tubes

[Toby's mum]

I work on the CSICU where we routinely are required to 'strip' blakes to keep them flowing, especially in the first few hours fresh post op cardiac surgery. We use alcohol swabs or the gel you use for dopplers and quickly, but carefully strip the tube so it flows well. There hasn't been a problem that I am aware of on the unit concerning stripping of chest tubes, but I understand it could happen.

[SeaTracer75]

love your username despite the sad sad times...