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Care after your Chest tube is Connected to the Atrium 500 HF#6603

 

What is the Atrium® 500?

 

This allows fluid and air to escape from your chest until your lung heals.  Simple advice for the care of this will be given in this handout.

 

 

Chest Tube and Valve Care


You should see the passage of air or fluids through the valve.

 

Check your chest tube site each day for signs of infection. 

 

You cannot shower when hooked up to the chest tube.

 

Keep the Atrium 500 upright at all times with the tube firmly connected, clean and dry.

 

Do not allow to fully fill with fluid.  This could cause fluid to leak from it into your lungs.

 

What if the chest tube comes off the Atrium 500?

 

If the tube comes off from the Atrium 500, you will need to attach it right away.  Be sure to tape it firmly.  If you can’t get it back together, go to the emergency room.

 

  • Do not tamper with the positive pressure relief valve on the top of the drain.
  • Do not separate the in-line connector before clamping off the patient tube. 
  • Do not keep the patient tube closed during drainage collection or transportation.
  • Do not connect any open luer lock connector to the needless luer lock port.  This is found on the front of the drain.
  • Do not use or puncture the needleless luer port with a needle.
  • Do not puncture the patient tubing with an 18 gauge or larger needle.

 

Dressing Change

 

Supplies needed: Two split gauze, two pieces of standard 4x4 gauze, tape

 

The chest tube site needs to be washed with mild soap and water every other day.  Do not use soaps with lotion or a heavy scent.  This can bother your skin.  If you have drainage around the site you may need to wash it each day.

 

  • Lay the split gauze down first against your skin, placing the slit on each piece of gauze in opposite directions so that no skin is seen around the tube. 
  • Next, lay the two pieces of standard 4x4 gauze on top of the split gauze. 
  • Tape down the edges of the gauze entirely to create a barrier. Tape over the tube so that it stays in place.

 

Secure the Atrium 500 with one of the straps provided.  Be sure to place the secured tube and the Atrium 500 below the site on your chest.  Doing this will stop the fluid in the tube from going back into your chest.

 

The connection between the chest tube and valve will be secured with a band.  Tape or a Band-Aid may be placed around this band to protect your skin from its hard edges.

 

 

 

 

 

When the atrium 500 gets full

 

When your chest tube fills to the 400 ml mark you will be instructed to either 1) change to a new atrium 500 OR 2) to empty the one you are sent home with.  This is decided by your doctor.  Instructions for both ways are provided on the next page.

 

Changing to a new atrium 500

 

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Clamp your chest tube.
  3. Attach the new atrium 500 to your chest tube.
  4. Unclamp your chest tube.
  5. Wash your hands.
  6. Keep track of when you changed your chest tube, how much fluid was in it, and the color of the fluid.


Emptying the Atrium Express


Equipment

  • Syringe
  • Alcohol Wipes

 

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Alcohol wipe the port at the front of the atrium 500 for 15 seconds.
  3. Screw the newly opened syringe to the port.
  4. Pull the plunger back on the syringe to draw the fluid out.
  5. When the syringe is full, empty it into the toilet.
  6. Repeat as needed.
  7. Throw the syringe away and wipe the port off with an alcohol wipe again.
  8. Wash your hands.
  9. Write down what day you emptied the chest tube, how much you removed, and the color of the fluid.  Your doctor will want to know this.
  10. If the fluid becomes hard to draw out, then call your doctor’s office.

 

 

Date Emptied Amount Emptied Color of Fluid
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 
Activity

 

Lifting limits

  • If you have only a chest tube and valve, you have none.
  • If you have an incision, do not lift more than 5-10 pounds for 3-4 weeks after your surgery.

 

Do not soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or swim while the chest tube is in place or until healed.

 

Meet with your doctor each week or every other week.  A chest x-ray will be done to make sure your lung remains expanded.

 

When to Call the Doctor

 

If you develop sudden or severe shortness of breath, call 911.

 

  • The valve comes loose.  Attach it right away.  
  • You have a sudden sharp chest pain with shortness of breath.
  • It is more tender or pain that does not go away with pain medicine.
  • Signs of infection
    • Increased redness or warmth at insertion site.
    • Pus-like drainage. 
    • Large amounts of swelling or bleeding.
    • Temperature taken by mouth, greater than 100.4° F for two readings, 4 hours apart.

 

Phone Numbers

 

Thoracic Surgery Nurse Practitioner, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  (608) 262-5101

 

After hours, weekends and holidays: (608) 263-6400.  This number will reach the paging operator.  Ask for the thoracic surgery resident on call.  Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.

 

If you live out of the area, please call: Toll Free: 1-800-323-8942.



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 07/29/2011

Copyright © 07/29/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#6603

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