Patient/ Family Information Sheet
The Following Handout reviews how to care for and empty you Jackson Pratt drain. Your nurse or doctor will review this procedure with you prior to your caring for your drain independently.

What is a Jackson Pratt Drain?
A Jackson Pratt Drain, or JP drain, is a type of surgical drain with a soft squeeze bulb or drainage bottle at the end of thin rubber tube. The tube is placed under your skin and the bulb is squeezed to create a suction to remove blood or other fluids that may collect at the surgical site. The drain remains in place from 24 hours up to sometimes several weeks. You may be discharged home with the drain in place. It is taken out by a surgeon when the surgical area stops draining.

1. Wash your hands
2. Strip or “milk” drainage tubing with one hand and:
   1. Beginning at the exit site, hold drainage tubing with one hand and with the other hand stretch and release tubing an inch at a time, while moving downward, with both hands, toward the bulb.
   2. Do this 2 to3 times before emptying the bulb.
3. Remove the stopper from the bulb’s spout or "drainage port."
4. Pour drainage into the measuring cup provided by your nurse.
5. Flatten/squeeze the bulb to create a vacuum and replace the stopper From the drainage port before letting go of the bulb. The Vacuum creates suction to draw out the fluids from under your skin.
6. Empty the bulb 3 times a day or as often as needed if it is feeling up before 8 hours
7. Record the date, time and amount of drainage each time the bulb is emptied (output). If you have more then one drain, record the amounts separately.
8. Discard the drainage into the toilet after measuring and then wash your hands.
9. If you notice that the ball decompresses, open the stopper and attempt to follow step #5 again
10. Remember to bring you output record with you to your doctors appointment.

What do I report to my doctor?

• Redness, swelling, and drainage around the area where the tube exits the body.
• Immediate refilling of the bulb with drainage/blood after emptying.
• Inability to flatten the bulb or drainage bottle.
• The tube falls out.
• A fever

What hints may be helpful?

• It is recommended that you safety pin the drainage bottle to your clothing during the day and to your night clothes during the night. Allow enough slack to prevent the tube from being pulled out
• Be vey careful not to puncture the tubing or the drainage bottle with the safety pin-use the
• plastic tab on the drain to put the pin through.
• Attach the container below the level of the tube exit site.
• Be very careful with the daily activities so that you do not dislodge the tubing.