Atrium Express Mini 500 - Dry Seal Chest Drain Patient Manual and Video

You are ready to go home, but still need your chest tube. A small device, called an Atrium Express Mini 500, has been placed on the end of your chest tube to help you get better.

About The Atrium Express Mini 500

The Atrium Express Mini 500 is made to allow air and fluid to escape from your chest until your lung heals. The device will hold about a pint of fluid. This device is generally automatic but does have some simple handling instructions. Empty the device as often as needed (see directions below), but at least once a day and keep track of how much you empty each day. You can record the amount of drainage you empty on a calendar and then please bring the information to your clinic when you return for your follow-up appointment.

Items Needed for Home Use

• Atrium Express Mini 500 Chest Drains (provided by hospital)
• 60 cc luer-lock syringes to empty drainage, if needed (provided by hospital)
• Wound dressings (provided by hospital)

Securing the Express Mini

Use one or both of the straps packaged with the Express Mini to securely attach the drain to your body, if required. Follow the picture instructions included with each Express Mini or change to fit your specific needs. The Express Mini also has a hook to hang the device from a rail on a bed. Be sure the device is attached so it does not pull on your tube.

Wound Dressing

You have a dressing around your chest tube. This should be changed at least every other day or as prescribed by your doctor.

Showering/Bathing

Ask your doctor if it is okay to shower. Showering with a chest tube is generally alright as long as you do not submerge the device in water. No baths, swimming, or hot tubs.

Checking For An Air Leak

Fluid must be present in the collection chamber to check for an air leak. Temporarily tip the drain to the side as shown until collection fluid appears in the air leak window . Bubbling in the air leak window when positioned as shown will confirm that air is leaking from your chest. No bubbling in the air leak window will indicate that no air is leaking from your chest. Immediately return the Express Mini to the upright position.

Note
This device is very important and the tubing must stay attached to the end of your chest tube.

• If the tube becomes disconnected, reconnect it IMMEDIATELY and tape it securely.
• If the tube becomes disconnected and you can't get it back together, go to the closest emergency room.

Always place the drain below the chest in an upright position.

If at any time you have any concerns or questions, contact your nurse or physician.

Emptying the Express Mini via Luer Port

Keep the Express Mini in an upright position and make sure the tubing stays firmly attached to the end of your chest tube. Do not allow the Express Mini to completely fill with fluid or it may start to leak out.

If the Express Mini becomes full with fluid, empty it by screwing the syringe firmly onto the port located on the bottom of the Express Mini.

Pull the plunger back on the syringe to empty the fluid. When the syringe is full, unscrew the syringe and empty the fluid into the nearest suitable receptacle. Repeat as necessary until empty. If it becomes difficult to empty the fluid using a syringe, squirt water through the port to flush out the blockage, pour out the contents as shown on the next page, or consult your nurse or physician.

Emptying the Express Mini via Pouring

If no syringe is available, the port becomes clogged, or the drain is almost full, the Mini may also be emptied by pouring. Clamp the catheter with the blue slide clamp.

Separate the white in-line connection by pressing the clear button.

Tip the drain to the right with the tube pointing down (do not tip upside-down). Pour the contents into the nearest suitable receptacle.

Once empty, reconnect the patient tubing to the drain using the connector.

IMMEDIATELY, open the blue slide clamp and the Express Mini 500 is ready to go.

Overview

1. Do not tamper with the positive pressure relief valve located on top of the drain.
2. Do not separate the in-line connector before clamping off the patient tube.
3. Do not keep the patient tube closed during drainage collection or transportation.
4. Do not connect any open luer-lock connectors to the needleless access port located on the front of the drain.
5. Do not use or puncture the needleless access port with a needle.
6. Do not puncture the patient tubing with an 18 gauge or larger needle.

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© Atrium Medical Corporation 2007. All Rights Reserved Printed in U.S.A. 9/07 Part #003621D Atrium and Express are trademarks of Atrium Medical Corporation.