Managing your drain at home

Who is the leaflet for? What is its aim?

This leaflet is for patient’s being discharged into the community with an external drain.

It will help you understand how to manage your drain and troubleshoot should you have a problem.

How to flush your drain

• Upon discharge your medical team will instruct you as to whether your drain will need to be flushed or not.
• If advised to flush the drain, gather all the materials you will need (10ml syringe, Saline, Clinell wipe, needle) and place them close by. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap.
• Using a needle draw the saline up into the syringe.
• Wipe the port with Clinell wipes and allow it to air dry for 30 seconds.
• Insert the syringe into the port, ensuring you clamp the tubing as seen below. (The saline should be flushed up in to the body).

Troubleshooting

• The drain stops draining and does not open upon flushing.
• There is any leakage of bile around the drain.
• You have a fever (with or without shivering).
• You have pain in the abdomen, particularly around the drain.
• The drain falls out.

If any of the above happens immediately contact the HPB specialist nurses on 01223 256 147.

If it is out of office hours, please contact ward F6 on 01223 217323.