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PleurX™ and PeritX™ drain management

The PleurX™ and PeritX™ system allows patients with conditions, such as recurrent pleural effusions (thoracic) and malignant ascites (abdominal) to receive drainage at home. Our staff provide education to patients and their families on how to manage their drain at home, to improve symptom control and comfort. The PleurX™ and PeritX™ system is indicated for the palliation of symptoms and is intended for management in the outpatient setting.

 Chest placement The thoracic PleurX™ system uses a drainage bottle to provide immediate drainage of a recurrent pleural effusion. These drainage bottles are only used for thoracic patients. The bottle creates an active vacuum and only 1000mls maximum should be drained at any one time.
Abdominal placement  The abdominal PeritX™ catheter can have a larger volume drained with a maximum of 2000mls within a one-hour period. (If the medical team orders more than 2000mls of fluid to be drain this is done over a longer period).

 

Both PeritX™ and PleurX™ systems are an effective method of allowing patients and carers to manage their drainage at home when symptomatic

Our Management of PleurX™ Drainage Catheter System clinical procedure provides guidance on management of PleurX™ drainage systems.  

The following information is contained within the clinical procedure: 

If you only have two kits left, please contact the Peter Mac @ Home admin team on (03) 8559 6800, 7 days a week between 7am-6pm. Outside these hours contact the hospital on (03) 8559 5000 and ask for the after hours hopsital coordinator.

The Peter Mac @ Home staff will advise on how to procure more supplies.

For more patient education resources, visit the BD PleurX catheter FAQ.

BD PleurX Drain video

Nephrostomy Management  

Our patients may be discharged with a nephrostomy requiring care in the community. 

Please follow the Peter Mac Care of Nephrostomy catheters clinical guideline for weekly care. The steps for changing a nephrostomy bag are detailed on pages 3-4.

If a Nephrostomy is to be flushed, orders and equipment will be sent home with the patient. The steps are highlighted on pages 5-7 of the Nephrostomy catheters clinical guideline.

Radiotherapy dressing management  

Many of our patients may be discharged to your service requiring daily dressing care. 

We would supply adequate equipment for managing the reaction area care.

For more information on grading the radiotherapy induced skin reactions, we follow the CTCAE system which, is highlight in eviQ on the radiation-induced dermatitis .

If any patient requires wound re-assessment, please contact Peter Mac @ Home to organise a review with the radiotherapy nurses and treating team.

Post acute care

Peter Mac @ Home does not provide care for chronic wounds. This falls under post-acute care. If the patient has had a recent hospital admission, they are eligible for PAC funding. The inpatient wards are responsible for all PAC nursing referrals.

PAC includes wound care, some medication management, nephrostomy management

For a list of PAC services in Victoria please see:

How to access more equipment supplies from Peter Mac

If the patient is scheduled to come to one of our campuses for an appointment, we can arrange on the day of the appointment for supplies to be sent home with the patient. If the patient is at home, call the Community Liaison Nurse on (03) 8559 5007 when equipment supplies are running low, to ensure sufficient time for delivery by express post.

Related pages

 

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