Processes

Our drainage systems are intended for draining recurrent pleural effusions and ascites, both in the clinic and for patient care at home. Following the implantation of the catheter, the patient is discharged from the hospital. Drainage of the effusion can be performed independently or with the support of relatives or nursing services with minimal effort.

The drainage system restores the patient’s quality of life, increases mobility and at the same time relieves the strain on your hospital’s resources.

Here you will find common examples of clinical service delivery and billing for implantation and explantation of a catheter.

Implantation of the catheter is a minimally invasive procedure that subsequently allows the patient to drain recurrent pleural effusions and ascites without hospitalization. The drainage system thus increases the patient’s quality of life and mobility and reduces efforts and costs for the clinics.

Here you will find an overview of the recommended implantation steps of the catheter using the example of a pleural effusion.

The catheter passport serves patient safety and contains all important information about the implanted catheter. This enables patients and physicians to trace the product back to the manufacturer. In the event of possible complications or emergencies, you will find medically relevant information on the patient and catheter as well as the correct contacts in the passport.

There are various connection options for the catheter. For a quick overview of these and other accessories for use in the clinic, click here.

Depending on the viscosity of the pleural effusion or ascites and the dwell time of the catheter, irrigation may be necessary to counteract clogging of the catheter and to ensure smooth drainage of the effusion. Irrigation is performed by the clinician under sterile conditions.
For subsequent drainage, you will find appropriate material here:

If three consecutive drains remove less than 50 mL of fluid, one of the following may be the cause and the catheter removal may be a consideration:

• Recovery of the patient, no more formation of ascites or pleural effusion detectable.
• Pleurodesis occurred
• The catheter is in a chamber without fluid.
• Catheter blockage that cannot be cleared even by flushing.

If one of the above cases or another reason exists to remove the catheter, you as the treating physician should proceed as follows during explantation:

You should discuss these points with your patient during the educational interview prior to implanting the catheter.

Following the implantation of a catheter and discharge from the hospital, the attending primary care physician requires information from the patient for follow-up care.

Your patient had a catheter implanted because of a recurring pleural effusion or ascites and is ready to be discharged. What to do now?

To ensure a seamless transition from the hospital to the patient’s home and that the patient receives material and training for the following homecare, please follow these steps in our discharge management concept.