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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Please watch this entire video before caring for your drain. This video will teach you how to take care of your surgical drain. Surgical drains remove fluid from under your skin near your surgical site. This helps prevent infection and encourages healing. A surgical drain consists of a drain tube that runs from your surgical site to a bulb that collects the fluid. You strip the drain tube to keep it clear and remove any clots or blockages. Then, you empty the bulb when it is half full or as instructed by your healthcare provider. You will need alcohol wipes, a measuring cup, and a drainage record sheet. Be sure to wear disposable gloves if your healthcare provider says you should. Be careful not to pull on the tubing. You should not feel any tugging where the tube enters your skin. Step one: wash your hands with soap and water and then dry them. Step two: put on disposable gloves if your healthcare provider says you should. Step three: look for clots or blockages that may prevent the fluid from flowing out of the tube and into the bulb. Some clots may be hidden inside the tube, under your skin. Step four: loosen the clots by gently squeezing the tube surrounding them. Step five: use one hand to hold the drain tube in place where it leaves your skin. Step six: use your other hand to pinch the tube with an alcohol wipe between your finger and thumb. Step seven: slide your pinched fingers along the tube to force any fluid out of the tube and into the bulb. You may need to repeat steps five through seven several times to clear the tube. Try not to let go of the tube between steps. If fluid remains in the tube or you accidentally let go, repeat steps five through seven using a new alcohol wipe. Do not allow the bulb to become more than half full. Too much fluid in the bulb reduces its ability to remove fluid from underneath your skin. Now, you will begin emptying the bulb. Step eight: hold the bulb lower than your incision so that fluid moves out of the tube and into the bulb. Step nine: point the bulb away from your body. Never squeeze the bulb before taking the cap off. Step ten: remove the cap. Never touch the opening with your bare hands. Step 11: hold the measuring cup under the bulb. Step 12: turn the bulb upside down and squeeze the fluid into the cup. Step 13: after removing the fluid, continue squeezing the bulb and use a new alcohol wipe to clean the top. Step 14: while still squeezing the bulb, put the cap back on the top. The depressed bulb creates suction that continuously removes fluid from underneath your skin. Step 15: read the amount of fluid in the measuring cup. Step 16: write the amount on your record sheet. Step 17: empty and rinse the cup as directed. Keep the bulb below the level of your incision to help the fluid move out of the tube and into the bulb. Contact your surgeon if you notice the amount of fluid suddenly increases or decreases; the odor of the fluid changes; the fluid contains pus or becomes thicker over time; your drain tube falls out, or your incision opens; your incision is red, swollen, painful, or has pus coming out; or your temperature is 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
"I just wanted to let you know that after several days on trial, I settled
[my client's] construction accident case for $4.5 million. Immediately after
the jury was discharged, I spoke with several jurors who told me that they
really appreciated the medical illustrations for their clarity in dealing
with [my client's] devastating injuries. They also expressed their gratitude
in being able to read from a distance all of the notations without
difficulty. Obviously, the boards were visually persuasive. I am certain
that this contributed to our successful result."
Michael Gunzburg, Esq.
Attorney at Law.
New York, NY
"Medical Legal Art has always performed quality and efficient work. The
doctors that review the exhibits are always amazed at the precise
descriptions and drawings."
Michael Beckman
Viles Law Firm, P.A.
Fort Meyers, FL
"There is nothing like a great graphic depicting the real nature and
extent of a victim's injuries to get full value for your client. I use
Medical Legal Art for mediations as well as trial."
Geoff Wells
Greene, Broillet, Panish & Wheeler
Santa Monica, CA
"I wanted to thank you for the terrific job you did illustrating my client's
injuries. The case was settled at the pre-suit mediation, and I believe a
good part of the success we had was due to the medical legal art you
prepared.
Your work received the ultimate compliment at the conclusion of the mediation. The hospital risk manager took the exhibit with them at the
conclusion of mediation, and will be using it to train nurses on how to
prevent bed sores..."
Steven G. Koeppel Troy, Yeslow & Koeppel, P.A. Fort Myers, FL
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.
