What is the role of the licensed practical nurse when providing nursing to a patient with a compression drain?
It is not within the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse to irrigate, advance, or remove a compression drain. It is within the scope of practice of the appropriately prepared licensed practical nurse to perform the following tasks related to compression drain care (e.g., Hemovac, Jackson-Pratt): • Empty and measure drainage; • Tube/catheter insertion site care; • Compress/recompress bulb/evacuator; and • Monitor patency of drainage system. The appropriately prepared licensed practical nurse may perform these tasks provided: • The licensed practical nurse is educated and competent in the procedure. This education and competence must be documented initially and on an ongoing basis; • There is a medical order for the procedure; • The patient must be assessed initially and on an ongoing basis as needed by the registered nurse to determine whether there are contraindications or changes which require additional resources or expertise; • The licensed practical nurse practices ac
