hemovac question

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have any of you seen a hemovac ordered to gravity only? meaning not to activate the hemovac to suction.

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No... if it's to gravity only (instead of compressed), I can't see how it would drain anything...

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med-Surg.

No I have never seen that before I think that would kind of defeat the purpose of the hemovac which not only acts as a drain but promotes blood flow and healing with the suction that it creates. Why wouldnt they just pack the wound or add a regular drain to gravity? What kind of wound was this ordered for?

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Specializes in Trauma ICU, Peds ICU.

That doesn't make any sense. If they just wanted to drain to gravity, why not use a penrose drain.

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it's for a patient who had, had an infected tha removed and an articulating atb spacer placed. according to previous facility progress note: originally hemovac ordered for suction and apparently quite a bit of drainage took place, hemoglobin in low 7's, 2 units prbc infused, followed with order for drain to be to gravity only. just asking because i had never seen hemovac to gravity only, neither has any coworkers. called ortho to verify, which it was - no activation of suction. pt is on coumadin but still seems like it would be likely to clot off without suction, to me. and also seems like if that blood isn't sucked out, it would/could form an abcess. agree?disagree?

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