Caring For Your Jackson Pratt Drain

The Jackson Pratt drain is a special tube put in place near the site of surgery to prevent body fluid from collecting. It pulls the fluid into a bulb by suction. You can then empty and measure the fluid to keep track of the amount of output for 24 hours. Do this two to three times every day, at the same times, as your provider directs.

How to Care for the Drain Site

You will be told before discharge whether you need to change the dressing at your drain site. If so, you will remove the dressing and clean around it with a cotton swab and warm soapy water one time every day. 

If you are told to leave the dressing in place, please do so. If the dressing comes loose, you should replace it with a split 4x4-inch piece of gauze and tape.

How to Empty Your Drain

• Wash your hands well with soap and water and dry them before and after handling the drain.
• Empty the drain two to three times every day, at the same times of day, as your provider directs. Measure and record the amount of fluid on the form.
• Pull the plug from the drain. Pour the fluid into a liquid measuring cup.Squeeze the bulb flat. While the bulb is flat, replace the plug into the hole.The bulb should remain flat after the plug is replaced. Record the drainage amount with date and time on the form for two times each day or for 3 times each day.
• Flush the fluid down the toilet after measuring.

What to Do at Home

• Watch for clots in the drainage tube. Clots can slow or prevent draining.
• Do not sleep on the same side as the tube.
• Secure the tube and bulb inside your clothing with a safety pin (do not puncture the tube or bulb) to help prevent pulling.

When to Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• New or increasing pain around the tube
• Warmth, redness or swelling around the tube site
• Foul-smelling drainage
• Vomiting
• Fever over 100.4 degrees F
• Drainage around the tube site
• Stitches come loose
• Tube breaks or comes out
• Change in drainage to more bloody
• Sudden increase in amount of drainage (greater than 30 ml)
• Sudden decrease in amount of drainage (greater than 30 ml)

Please use the following charts to record your cleanings.

Chart for Cleaning 2 Times Every Day

Chart for Cleaning 3 Times Every Day

Caring For Your Jackson Pratt Drainage Tube (PDF)

HH-II-235 12/19 Copyright 2019, Nationwide Children’s Hospital