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 leak-
ing 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.
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 complete-
ly 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 diffi-
cult to empty the fluid
using a syringe, squirt
water through the port to flush out the block-
age, pour out the contents as shown on the
next page, or consult your nurse or physi-
cian.
IMPORTANT: If at any time you have any concerns
or questions, contact your nurse or physician.
Always place the drain
below the chest in an
upright position.
