Atrium Express Mini 500 – Discharge Instructions 

Image used with permission from www.getinge.com.

 

The Atrium Express Mini 500(Atrium 500) is a portable chest drainage system. This device allows you to go home while you have a chest tube in place.   It allows for fluid and air to drain from your chest while your lung continues to heal.

 

Chest Tube Care

• Make sure the blue clamp on the tubing is open. This way fluid and air may drain.
• Keep the atrium chamber upright at all times.
• Keep the atrium chamber below your waist in an upright position at all times.
• Use the straps provided when walking with the atrium.
• Check your site every day for redness, warmth or drainage. This is very important as these may be signs of infection.

 

When the Atrium 500 chamber fills:

• Monitor the drain every day. Write down the amount of fluid in the log provided.
• You must call your surgeon if the drainage gets to the 400 ml mark. 

 

Disconnection

• If your chest tube disconnects from the Atrium 500, connect it back quickly and tape it. Call your surgeon right away!
• If you cannot reconnect the tubing, go to the nearest emergency department with the Atrium 500.
• Tape the tube to the Atrium 500 device to secure it.

 

Site Care/Dressing Changes

• Do not shower or take a bath when attached to the Atrium 500.
• Wash with a washcloth with soap and water.
• Gently wash the chest tube site every day with a mild soap and water. Then pat dry.
• Place the split gauze (dressing) on your skin around the chest tube site. This way there is no exposed skin.
• Tape down the edges of the gauze entirely to create a barrier.
• Tape the tube to secure it.

 

If your doctor instructs you to empty the Atrium 500, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for 15 seconds.
2. Wipe the front port of the Atrium 500 with an alcohol swab for 15 seconds.
3. Connect the new syringe to the port. Then turn syringe gently to the right.
4. Pull the plunger back and pull out the fluid.
5. When the syringe is full, turn syringe to the left and pull out syringe.
6. Empty the fluid into the toilet.
7. Repeat as needed to empty the chamber.
8. Wash your hands with soap and water for 15 seconds.
9. Write down the amount of fluid emptied on the log provided.

  

Call your surgeon right away if: Your tube becomes disconnected You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher You have shortness of breath Your chest tube site becomes red or there is new drainage around the site Your chamber fills up with 400 ml of fluid

 

© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.

Atrium Express Mini 500 – Discharge Instructions 

Image used with permission from www.getinge.com.

 

The Atrium Express Mini 500(Atrium 500) is a portable chest drainage system. This device allows you to go home while you have a chest tube in place.   It allows for fluid and air to drain from your chest while your lung continues to heal.

 

Chest Tube Care

• Make sure the blue clamp on the tubing is open. This way fluid and air may drain.
• Keep the atrium chamber upright at all times.
• Keep the atrium chamber below your waist in an upright position at all times.
• Use the straps provided when walking with the atrium.
• Check your site every day for redness, warmth or drainage. This is very important as these may be signs of infection.

 

When the Atrium 500 chamber fills:

• Monitor the drain every day. Write down the amount of fluid in the log provided.
• You must call your surgeon if the drainage gets to the 400 ml mark. 

 

Disconnection

• If your chest tube disconnects from the Atrium 500, connect it back quickly and tape it. Call your surgeon right away!
• If you cannot reconnect the tubing, go to the nearest emergency department with the Atrium 500.
• Tape the tube to the Atrium 500 device to secure it.

 

Site Care/Dressing Changes

• Do not shower or take a bath when attached to the Atrium 500.
• Wash with a washcloth with soap and water.
• Gently wash the chest tube site every day with a mild soap and water. Then pat dry.
• Place the split gauze (dressing) on your skin around the chest tube site. This way there is no exposed skin.
• Tape down the edges of the gauze entirely to create a barrier.
• Tape the tube to secure it.

 

If your doctor instructs you to empty the Atrium 500, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for 15 seconds.
2. Wipe the front port of the Atrium 500 with an alcohol swab for 15 seconds.
3. Connect the new syringe to the port. Then turn syringe gently to the right.
4. Pull the plunger back and pull out the fluid.
5. When the syringe is full, turn syringe to the left and pull out syringe.
6. Empty the fluid into the toilet.
7. Repeat as needed to empty the chamber.
8. Wash your hands with soap and water for 15 seconds.
9. Write down the amount of fluid emptied on the log provided.

  

Call your surgeon right away if: Your tube becomes disconnected You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher You have shortness of breath Your chest tube site becomes red or there is new drainage around the site Your chamber fills up with 400 ml of fluid

 

© NYU Langone Health. All rights reserved. Reviewed for health literacy. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care provider's instructions.