JP drain removal

[brokenroads27]

when is a jp drain usually removed? i had a pt that had it in for 1.5 weeks...isnt that too long?

[NICU Kristen]

Usually when the output is very minimal we remove them with docs order.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Yeah- if it's still draining consistently, and a measurable amount- probably needs to stay in. If you have questions, ask the doc (most will gladly teach someone who genuinely wants to learn- makes their job easier in the long run to have the nurses know why they do things:)).

[ObtundedRN, BSN, RN]

I work in critical care, 1.5 weeks is often a short time for most of our drains, depending on the drain, location, reason for it, etc, you could have lots of drainage. And each doc has their own idea of when they feel its time to come out.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Nope. We have a few mastectomy pt's go home with a JP. Better to keep it in and clean than to pull it early and get an abscess under the skin.

[Biffbradford]

Right. If it's still doing what it's supposed to do, it stays in.