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How to Take Care of a Blake Drain

Published in Drain Care 2 mins read

Taking care of a Blake drain involves regularly checking the drain, emptying it when needed, and ensuring proper suction is maintained. A Blake drain is a type of surgical drain often used to remove fluid from a healing area.

Here are the essential steps based on standard drain care practices, including information from your reference:

Key Steps for Drain Care

Proper care helps the drain function effectively and prevents complications. The main actions involve monitoring, emptying, and restoring suction.

  1. Check the Drain Regularly: You should check the drain at least every four hours. This helps you monitor the amount and type of fluid being collected and ensures the drain is working properly. Look for any signs of kinking or blockage in the tubing.
  2. Empty the Drain: The drain bulb needs to be emptied when it's collecting fluid. Empty your drain when it fills up half way, or every 8 to 12 hours, whichever comes first. It's helpful to record the amount of fluid you empty each time, as your healthcare provider may ask for this information.
  3. Restore Suction: After the drain is emptied, the bulb needs to be squeezed. This action collapses the bulb, creating negative pressure (suction) when the cap is closed. This is done to keep the suction of the drain strong enough to pull out more fluid. Without adequate suction, the drain cannot effectively remove fluid from the surgical site.

Why These Steps Are Important

Following these steps is crucial for the success of the drain. Regular checking ensures early detection of potential issues. Emptying prevents the bulb from becoming too full, which would stop the suction. Squeezing the bulb after emptying is the critical step that reinstates the negative pressure needed for continuous fluid removal.

By following these guidelines, you help the drain perform its intended function: to remove excess fluid, which can help reduce swelling and promote healing.