How Do I Clean My Penrose Drain?

A Penrose drain is a rubber-like, flexible drainage tube that a surgeon places into a wound or surgical incision area. This allows for the drainage of fluid from the wound. A Penrose drain is designed for the fluid to be absorbed into the gauze dressing that surrounds the drain. Patients may change the dressings themselves. Dressings should be changed at least once a day, or as your doctor instructs. However, should the dressings become wet or loose, they should be changed as soon as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Soap
• Bag
• Washcloth
• Towel
• Tape
• Gauze

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands with warm water and antibacterial soap. If you are changing your own Penrose drain, you do not need to wear gloves.

• 2

  Peel off the pieces of tape holding the dressing in place. By working carefully and slowly, you should be able to avoid pulling on the drain itself. Remove the layers of gauze dressing one at a time. Place the pieces of tape and gauze in a plastic bag for disposal.

• 3

  Examine your wound area. If you notice signs of an infection, your surgeon will need to treat the area. Signs of an infection include redness, swelling, foul odor and a drainage that appears yellow or green.

• 4

  Wash your hands carefully before applying the new dressing. Use soap and water to gently cleanse your wound. With a washcloth, wipe down on one side of the surgical incision, then do the same on the other side. Blot the area dry with a clean towel. Be very careful not to pull on the Penrose drain.

• 5

  Pre-cut your pieces of adhesive tape. Place one piece of split gauze dressing around your drainage tube, then arrange another piece to overlap the first. Completely surround the drain with gauze. Use additional gauze layers if you have a large amount of drainage. Tape the gauze in place by overlapping each piece of adhesive tape.

• 6

  Place all of your waste materials in the plastic bag for disposal. Wash your hands one final time. Then note the time you changed your dressing for your surgeon’s information. He may also ask you for the color and approximate amount of fluid on the gauze.