Jackson-Pratt Drain Care

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 10, 2025.

What is a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain and how does it work?

A JP drain is used to remove fluids that build up in an area of your body after surgery. The JP drain is a bulb-shaped device connected to a tube. One end of the tube is placed in the surgery site. The other end comes out through a small cut in your skin, called the drain site. The bulb is connected to this end. You may have 1 or more stitches to hold the tube in place. The JP drain removes fluids by creating suction in the tube. The bulb is squeezed flat and expands as it fills with fluid.

How do I change the bandage around my JP drain?

If you have a bandage, change it 1 time each day. Change your bandage if it gets wet.

Wash your hands with soap and water.
Loosen the tape and gently remove the old bandage. Throw the old bandage away.
Use soap and water or saline (salt water) solution to clean your drain site. Dip a cotton swab or gauze pad in the solution and gently clean your skin. Begin cleaning near the drain site and wipe away from the site. Do not wipe towards the drain site. Use a new swab or pad after each wipe.
Pat the area dry. Check for signs of infection or irritation near the drain site. Examples include redness, swelling, or green or yellow drainage.
Place a new bandage on your drain site and secure it to your skin with medical tape.
Wash your hands.

How do I empty the JP drain?

Empty the bulb when it is half full or every 8 to 12 hours.

Wash your hands with soap and water.
Remove the plug from the bulb. Do not touch the drain opening.
Pour the fluid into a measuring cup.
Clean the plug and opening with an alcohol swab or a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Squeeze the bulb flat and put the plug back in. The bulb should stay flat until it starts to fill with fluid again.
Make sure the tubing is not kinked or twisted. Reattach the drain to your clothes below your surgery site so it does not pull at your skin.
Measure the amount of fluid you pour out. Write down how much fluid you empty from the drain and the date and time you collected it.
Flush the fluid down the toilet. Wash your hands.

How do I prevent the tubing from clogging?

Use the following steps to clear or strip the tubing. Your healthcare provider will tell you how often to do this:

Hold the tubing between your thumb and first finger at the place closest to your skin. This hand will prevent the tube from being pulled out of your skin.
Use your other thumb and first finger to pinch the tubing below your hand. Slide your pinched fingers down the tubing toward the bulb. You may have to repeat the sliding until there is no fluid in the tubing.

When will my JP drain be removed?

The amount of fluid that you drain will decrease as you heal. The JP drain usually is removed when less than 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) is collected in 24 hours. Ask your healthcare provider when and how your JP drain will be removed.

What are the risks of a JP drain?

The JP drain site may be painful or tender. You may have trouble lying on the side with your JP drain. Your JP drain site may leak. The JP drain may be pulled out by accident. The tubing may get blocked, crack, or break. The tubing may damage your tissue. You may have a scar. The JP drain site may get infected. This infection could spread inside your body.

When should I seek immediate care?

The fluid in the drain changes from light pink to dark red.
Your drain breaks or comes out.
You are bleeding from your drain site.
You have cloudy yellow or brown drainage from your drain site.
The drainage from your drain site smells bad or looks different.
You have increased pain, redness, or swelling around the drain site.

When should I call my doctor?

You drain less than 30 milliliters (2 tablespoons) in 24 hours.
You suddenly stop draining fluid or think your JP drain is blocked.
You have a fever higher than 101.5°F (38.6°C).
You have nausea or are vomiting.
You have questions about your JP drain care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. 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.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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