Drainage help

[lpn1313]

Need help with a situation here. I have a pt who is draining copious amounts of serous fluid from his arm. The problem is, we can't seem to find anything that will conatin the drainage. Right now we are changing the dressing about every three hours. We've tried ABDs and foams, wrapping the arm with kerlix to secure. Right now there's an incontinent brief around the arm. The drainage has soaked through all these. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

Is there a discreet wound? sometimes an ostomy appliance or a fecal incontinence bag will work if there is enough intact skin to attach it to.

Do you have a wound/ostomy nurse you can consult?

[NotFlo]

I know it sounds weird but I've actually used maxi pads in situations like that and they work better than ABD pads due to that absorbent gel inside. Do you have a product called Maxorb? I've done layers of the maxorb and a layer of maxi pads wrapped with kerlix with a pretty good result. Still needed to be changed q shift but better than every couple hours.

[lpn1313]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, there is no open area that's draining, it's all just seeping out of his pores. I took the maxipad idea and modified it since i didn't think this fellow would go for that. We cut up an incontinence brief and spiral wrapped his arm with it. So far it seems to be containing the drainage. Thanks again.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Have you considered Hemostyp or ActCel (or equivalent)?

cheers,