Chest Tube Care at Home
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 7, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
What you need to know about chest tube care at home:
Care includes checking the catheter for problems, draining the fluid, and replacing the bandage as needed. Proper care will help the tube drain fluid correctly and prevent problems. Read the instructions that come with the chest tube each time you care for it.
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Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You suddenly feel lightheaded and have shortness of breath.
- You have chest pain. You may have more pain when you take a deep breath or cough.
- You cough up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- Blood or fluid soaks through your bandage.
- Your bandage comes off.
- Your chest tube comes out.
- Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
Call your doctor if:
- You have a fever.
- You feel short of breath after you drain your chest tube.
- You have severe pain and swelling at the chest tube insertion area.
- The insertion area is red, draining pus, or has a bad smell coming from it.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following:
- Antibiotics help prevent or fight an infection caused by bacteria.
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Check the chest tube:
Do the following each time you drain fluid:
- Check the catheter and the insertion area. Check your skin for redness or a rash. Look for any discharge or blood.
- Check your chest tube for problems. Make sure you do not see any kinks or holes in the tubing. Check for damaged or broken areas. Do not try to fix problems you find. Tape, glue, or other items will not fix the tubing and may lead to an infection.
How to drain the chest tube:
Drain the chest tube as often as directed. Only drain fluid into the bottle specifically designed for your chest tube. Your healthcare provider may give you specific instructions. The following are general guidelines:
- Wash your hands before you start draining the tube. Use soap and water. Wash for at least 1 minute, or as directed. Dry your hands with a paper towel, or as directed. Handwashing helps prevent infections.
- Remove the dressing that covers the catheter site. Go slowly so you do not move the catheter. Throw away the dressing. Check the area for redness, fluid, or other problems. You can still drain the tube, but you should tell your provider what you noticed. Then wash your hands again for 1 minute, or as directed.
- Open a new drainage kit. Do not touch the items within the kit. You will need to each of the 3 alcohol wipes that come in the kit. The kit also comes with sterile gloves. Put the gloves on before you continue. Then roll the wheel toward the bottle to close the drainage line.
- Remove the access tip cover. Twist the cover to remove it. Hold the catheter near the valve and remove the cap. Throw the cap away. Use an alcohol wipe to clean the area around the catheter's valve. Then insert the drainage line tip into the catheter. Check to make sure the access tip is securely connected to the catheter.
- Start the vacuum. Push the plunger to break the seal. Then release the clamp by rolling the wheel away from the bottle. This will help you control the drainage flow rate. Roll the wheel toward the bottle to tighten the clamp when the bottle is full or drainage slows. If you need a second bottle, you do not need to clean the catheter between bottles. Never drain more than 1,000 milliliters (mL) of fluid during 1 drainage session.
- Pull the drainage line tip out of the catheter valve when finished. Use a new alcohol pad to clean the catheter valve. Then put a new cap into place. You should feel or hear a click. Do not touch the catheter valve with anything other than the alcohol pad. This will help prevent an infection.
How to replace the dressing:
- Use a new alcohol pad to clean the area around the catheter site. Then place the foam catheter pad around the catheter. Press it against your skin.
- Wind the catheter into a coil. Gather the catheter and hold it on top of the foam pad. Cover the area with a new gauze pad. Then remove your gloves.
- Use a new self-adhesive dressing to cover the area. Center the dressing over the gauze pad. Then press firmly. Start at the center and work your way out to the edges. Press the dressing into place firmly against your skin. This will seal the dressing in place and help prevent an infection.
- Remove the paper backing and frame from the dressing. Throw these items away. You should only have the transparent self-adhesive dressing on your skin. You will see the gauze pad through the dressing.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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