SWCCAC Wound Management Program
“My Jackson-Pratt (JP) Drain Care”
Name:__________________________________ Date:_____________________
I need to empty my JP Drain : ____ x per 24 hours
1. Wash your hands thoroughly before emptying your drain(s).
2. Have a small plastic measuring cup ready to collect and measure the drainage.
3. Remove the pin from your clothing that holds the drain.
4. Open the top of the drain and turn it upside down over the measuring
cup. Squeeze the contents of the bulb, emptying the bulb as completely
as possible. Measure the amount and flush the contents in the toilet.
5. Please write down the amount of drainage twice a day or any time the
bulb is full. Record the total for 24 hours for each drain you have.
6. If you have more than one drain, remember to record the drainage from each drain
separately.
7. To prevent infection, do not let the stopper or the opening touch the measuring cup
or any other surface.
8. Use one hand to squeeze all of the air from the drain and use your
other hand to replace the top. This creates the suction necessary to
remove the fluids from your body.
9. Pin the drain back on your clothing to avoid pulling it out accidently.
10.Rinse the measuring cup with soap and water.
11.Wash your hands again.
12. Please call the nurse or doctor’s office if the output becomes thicker or has a bad
odor
Stripping the Tube
Sometimes the drainage products will not flow out of the narrow tube and prevent
proper draining. If you do not have drainage, then:
• Hold the tube near where it is inserted in to the skin with your one hand to
stabilize it.
• Use the other hand to hold a pencil and gently squeeze the tubing with the pencil
while moving it down toward the drain away from your skin. This forces the more
sold material into the bulb for better drainage.
• Repeat as necessary to start the draining again.
Removal of the Tube
• The nurse or doctor will do this for you. Usually, the tube may be removed once a
single tube output is less than 30cc (1 oz.) in 24 hours, but your doctor will have
written instructions for the nurse about this.
South West CCAC Open, Healable Surgical Wound Toolkit - Self-Care Teaching Handout: MY JP Drain Care December 2010
Adapted from http://www.stjohnprovidence.org/InnerPage.aspx?PageID=4388 Permission Pending