JP drain questions

[raspbac]

I have a question about a client's JP drain. It was placed for drainage of an abcess. It has what appears to be a pressure type dressing over it. It is a light tan colored. My question is what is this dressing/bandage called and is it appropriate for nurse to change it. I am a home healthcare nurse and do not have this type of dressing to replace it with. I am wondering if it is just for post op and then we change to drain 4x4 etc. I called the doctors office and the nurse to whom I spoke and asked was not very helpful and said home health always changes them.....however none of the ones I have asked about it say they have. I do not want to change it if it needs to be done by the doctor. But you probably know how it goes....they say change it if needed and that it is ok for us to do....but then if there is a problem..... thanks for any help with this. I have scoured the internet to find this dressing but have been unsuccessful.

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

I suggest posing this to your HH supervisor. If you do end up being questioned, I don't think you'd want to answer "That's what they told me to do on this website I went to".

There should be either protocols or specific orders addressing this.