[AVBC 2025] Reducing Drain Slippage in Patients Following Breast Cancer Surgery
Care Process & Redesign
Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference
SingHealth
6 November 2025
Identify possible reasons and eliminate drain slippage in patients undergoing breast surgery within 6 months. The project enhanced patient safety and comfort, contained potential additional costs for both hospital and patients, and improved.
Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 06 November 2025
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Productivity, Cost Saving, Value Based Care, Safe Care
About this Content
Aims
Identify possible reasons and eliminate drain slippage in patients undergoing breast surgery within 6 months.
Background
Patients post-mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery with axillary clearance are discharged with drains. Drains are removed 1-4 weeks after when drainage volumes diminish. There were 19 cases of drain slippage over 2 years from 2021-2022, leading to increased anxiety, cost, additional hospital visits, and seroma needle aspiration.
Methods
A cause-and-effect diagram was used to analyze root causes, including different suture anchoring techniques, lack of return demonstration by patients/caregivers, and no dressing cover over the drain tube anchoring. Interventions included improving suturing techniques, educating patients pre-operatively using a mannequin model, and adding a dressing to stabilize tubing.
Results
The multidisciplinary team's efforts led to no breast drain slippage for six consecutive months. This success was due to teamwork, innovation, and evidence-based best practices.
Conclusion
The project enhanced patient safety and comfort, contained potential additional costs for both hospital and patients, and improved overall quality of care.
Lessons Learnt
Collaboration between breast surgeons and BCNs, standardized suturing techniques, improved patient education, and the application of foam dressing in the Operating Theatre contributed significantly to success.
Keywords
Drain Slippage, Breast Surgery, Patient Care, Nursing, Cost Saving
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | SingHealth |
Organization(s) Involved | Sengkang General Hospital |
Platform(s) | Appropriate & Value-based Care Conference |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Nursing |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Surgery, Nursing Education, Nursing Research, Oncology |
Project Lead(s) | Sumathi Sagayamary D/O Lourdusamy |
Project Member(s) | Wu-LP |
Connect with this contributor!
Sumathi Sagayamary D/O Lourdusamy - sumathi.sagayamary.lourdusamy@skh.com.sg
Project Attachment
1065_SKGH_AVBC_2025_REDUCING_DRAIN_SLIPPAGE_IN_PATIENTS_FOLLOWING_BREAST_CANCER_SURGERY.pdf