JP Drains and blood exposure

The last time I was at work I went in to my patient's room to hang an antibiotic, the patients wife just mentions the jp drain is full. The techs usually empty drains and foleys for us, but I will empty them when needed while I am in the room. I have only emptied a jp drain maybe a handful of times because they are only used for back surgery or neck surgery at my facility and I haven't had too many of those patients. I have mostly delt with hips and knees to which hemovacs are used, even then I haven't had to empty those very many times. When I went to empty the jp drain, the bulb wasn't compressed and was about half full, I first looked at the measurement so I could record the drainage. Then I attempted to open the drain, as soon as I got the stopper out the blood squirted right at my face and in my eye. I started to panic, but I tried to remain calm so I didn't freak my patient out. I just said" I'll be right back", I rushed to the patient's bathroom and started flushing my eye at the sink and then used alcohol pads to wipe my face.

I then I had to go through the whole blood exposure protocol, getting my blood drawn and having to follow up with the infection control nurse. I have only been a nurse for four months, but I feel so stupid and a little embarrassed. I'm thinking "why didn't I turn my face away while emptying the drain. The techs empty these drains a lot with the amount of patient they have and I haven't heard of any of them getting blood in their face. It's a small hospital and I feel so singled out, like I'm the only nurse that got blood squirted at my face when emptying a jp drain, being the new nurse and I haven't been there that long I don't want any unwanted attention.

Needless to say, I will never open a drain again without turning me face away. Has anyone else had this happen to them? Last edit by Squirrely18 on Dec 29, '13
Not yet but don't stress or feel embarrassed! Things like that happen to the best of us and you learn from it! I just did so thank you for posting!

Instead of turning your face away, just turn the opening away. Don't point it at your face while you're opening it.

It's happened to all of us...turn it away from your face. I wore glasses with clear lenses for years to protect my eyes.

Point it away from you and use a 4x4 over the plug when you open it.

ive emptied plenty of these. i never look in the bulb to see the measurement i usually empty it into a specimen container to get a more accurate measurement. when i open it i make sure i use gloves b/c sometimes blood drops hang around the tip you unplug to open. i open it waist level and away from me. another big issue you want to make sure is to teach the techs about squeezing it before closing to maintain the suctioning pressure. although i have had some doctors to right orders for no suctioning or drain to gravity.

Quote from garn12ive emptied plenty of these. i never look in the bulb to see the measurement i usually empty it into a specimen container to get a more accurate measurement. when i open it i make sure i use gloves b/c sometimes blood drops hang around the tip you unplug to open. i open it waist level and away from me. another big issue you want to make sure is to teach the techs about squeezing it before closing to maintain the suctioning pressure. although i have had some doctors to right orders for no suctioning or drain to gravity.

It's also not unusual for clots to form in the bulb that you can't get out which will throw off any measurement unless emptied into a cup.

Quote from kloneInstead of turning your face away, just turn the opening away. Don't point it at your face while you're opening it.

Yes, it should be poured into a urine specimen cup for accurate measurement.

Thanks everyone for your advice. It makes more sense to turn the opening of the drain away from your face The jp drain has increments on it, but it's kind of hard to get an accurate measurement, thanks for telling me about the the specimen cup. Thankfully the rapid HIV test came back negative. They also drew blood to check for Hep C, but it had to be sent to another lab. I didn't have any suspicion of the patient having HIV or Hep C, but I ALWAYS assume every patient is infected just so I keep myself safe.

I have gotten on my face but thankfully not my eye. What i have done to change my practices i open an alcohol swap and cover the lid somewhat while i open it away from me. Has not happened since.

Urine specimen cups are an expense to use ( OMG!!! I did it! I crossed over the management line of trying to save some budget equipment money!)I just pour the contents into some styrofoam/plastic cup and then into a little measuring 30cc med cup and I dump into the toilet. I just carry the stuff into the room when I go to empty the JP.Just make sure you've securely re-established the suction and the little cap is tight.The styrofoam cup/med cup are always available. You'd only need a sterile urine cup if you needed to send a specimen for C&S.