PleurX Catheter
Indications
Technique
- Suction Set-Up
- Set Wall Suction to Regulated at 150
- Connect PleurX Connector Tubing to Suction Cannister
- Close Inline Valve in PleurX Connector Tubing
- Preparation of Site
- Remove Chest Wall Dressing
- Prep PleurX Catheter and Chest Wall Site with Chlorhexidine Gluconate Swabs
- Connection of PleurX Catheter
- Twist Off Existing PleurX Cap and Discard
- Connect PleurX Connector (with Closed Inline Valve): push and twist on the connector to open the one-way valve within the PleurX catheter
- Drain Pleural Fluid
- Open Inline Valve to Drain Pleural Fluid Slowly: monitor closely for chest pain during drainage
- Drain Approximately 1L Pleural Fluid Per Day
- Stop Drainage Immediately if Patient Develops Central Chest Pain
- Continue Daily Pleural Drainage Until Output is <150 mL/day, Then Change to qOD Drainage
- Re-Preparation of Site
- Re-Prep PleurX Catheter with Chlorhexidine Gluconate Swabs
- Replace PleurX Catheter Cap and Coil Catheter into a “Pretzel” Shape
- Re-Dress PleurX Catheter
- Place Slotted Foam Dressing Against the Skin
- Place the “Pretzeled” PleurX Catheter on Top of the Foam Dressing
- Place Gauze 4×4 on Top of the PleurX Catheter
- Adhesive Dressing is Placed on Top: burp out air from under dressing to create a vacuum
Adverse Effects/Complications
Pulmonary Adverse Effects/Complications
- PleurX Catheter Infection
- PleurX Catheter Occlusion
- May Be Treated with tPA to Restore Patency
References