Express™ Mini 500 Dry Seal Drain FAQ

The following questions may be often asked about the Express Mini drain, and the answers are provided here for your convenience. If you have further questions, please contact our 24-hour technical support.

1. Is the Express Mini position sensitive?
   
   
2. Can suction be applied to the drain?
   
   
3. Do I need to add water to the drain?
   
   
4. What does the mean?
   
   
5. What should I do when the drain fills?
   
   
6. How do I secure the Express Mini??
   
   
7. If the Express Mini fills up, will it leak out?
   
   
8. What do I do if the patient tubing becomes disconnected from the Express Mini?
   
   
9. Can I shower with the Express Mini 500?
   
   
10. Does the Express Mini drain contain any latex?
    
    
11. Is the Express Mini 500 drain MRI compatible?
    
    
12. Once I emptied the Express Mini by pouring, the ‘checkmark’ is no longer visible. What does that mean? Is my patient in danger?
    
    
13. How do I dispose of the system?
    
    

1. Is the Express Mini position sensitive?
Atrium’s dry seal valve is not position sensitive during operation. However, fluids do have the potential to leak out of the top of the drain if it is tipped at a severe angle. Therefore, whether the patient is ambulating or confined to bedrest, it is recommended to always maintain the unit below the patient’s chest in an upright position. Return to Top

2. Can suction be applied to the drain?
Yes. At the physician’s discretion, the Express Mini can be connected to suction. After attaching the suction line to the vacuum port, increase the suction source vacuum to -80mmHg or higher. The non-adjustable dry suction regulator is present to -20cmH2O. Return to Top

3. Do I need to add water to the drain?
No. The Express Mini does not require water to operate. However, fluid must be present in the drain to check for an air leak. If fluid is not present, you can add 20ml of sterile water or saline though the needleless access port on the front of the drain. Follow the instructions on how to check for an air leak.
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4. What does the mean?
When the appears it means vacuum (negative pressure) is present inside the chest drain. When no vacuum is present inside the chest drain, such as when the patient has an air leak on gravity drainage, the will not appear. The may appear intermittently with respiration. Return to Top

5. What should I do when the drain fills?
The Express Mini can be replaced with a new one. An in-line connector and removable clamp are provided to make change out easy. However, if no replacement Express Mini is available, the follows steps can be taken to empty the Express Mini and continue chest drainage operation:

Emptying the Express Mini via Luer Port

1. Keep the Express Mini in an upright position and make sure the tubing stays firmly attached to the end of your chest tube. Keep the Express Mini clean and dry. Do not allow the Express Mini to completely fill with fluid or it may start to leak out.

2. If the Express Mini becomes full with fluid, empty it by screwing a luer-lock syringe firmly onto the port located on the bottom of the Express Mini.

3. 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 commode. Repeat as necessary. If it becomes difficult to empty the fluid using a syringe, squirt water through the port to flush out the blockage or consult your nurse or physician.

Emptying the Express Mini via Pouring

1. If no syringe is available, the port becomes clogged, or the drain is almost full, the Mini may also be emptied by pouring. Temporarily clamping the catheter with the blue slide clamp.

2. Separate the white in-line connection.

3. Tip the drain to the right with the tube pointing down (do not tip upside-down). Pour the contents into the nearest suitable receptacle.

4. Once empty, immediately reconnect the patient tubing to the drain using the connector.

5. Open the blue slide clamp and the Express Mini 500 is ready to go.

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6. How do I secure the Express Mini?
Utilize one or both of the straps pre-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 modify to fit your specific needs. The Express Mini also has a hook to hang the device from a rail. Be sure the device is attached so it does not pull on your tube. Return to Top

7. If the Express Mini fills up, will it leak out?
Yes. If the Express Mini fills up with fluid, it may leak out. We recommend emptying the Express Mini as needed and keeping the Express Mini in an upright position. Return to Top

8. What do I do if the patient tubing becomes disconnected from the Express Mini?

• If the tube becomes disconnected from the drain body, reconnect it immediately and tape it securely.
• If the tube becomes disconnected at the in-line connector, reconnect it immediately and tape it securely.
• If the tube becomes disconnected and you can’t get it back together, go to the nearest emergency room.
  
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9. Can I shower with the Express Mini 500?
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.
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10. Does the Express Mini drain contain any latex?
The Express Mini 500 chest drain does not contain natural rubber latex (NRL) or dry natural rubber (DNR) and bears labeling with the ‘LF’ symbol and the statement “Latex Free”. Return to Top

11. Is the Express Mini 500 drain MRI compatible?
The metal contained within the drain (small spring for pre-set suction regulator) is stainless steel which is non-magnetic. The metallic material used in Atrium Medical Corporation’s chest drainage units will have no effect on the MRI equipment. This will allow for the product to remain attached to the patient while the MRI is being performed. Return to Top

12. Once I emptied the Express Mini by pouring, the ‘checkmark’ is no longer visible. What does that mean? Is my patient in danger?
When the patient tube was clamped and the Express Mini was disconnected from the patient tube, positive pressure (air) entered the drain and brought the pressure in the drain to atmospheric pressure. When the drain was reconnected, that atmospheric pressure is still present inside the drain (there should be no checkmark present). Even if the checkmark does not immediately appear, the patient is not in any clinical danger. If the patient has a pneumothorax then the checkmark will not appear due to the presence of positive pressure inside the drain. If the patient does not have a pneumothorax then the checkmark should appear indicating the presence of negative pressure inside the chest.
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13. How do I dispose of the system?
Disposal of system and contents must be in accordance with approved hospital infection control standards. To minimize the possibility of fluid leaking from the drain, it is suggested that the patient line occluded using the blue slide clamp provided with each drain.
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