The Need for a Smarter Surgical Drain Tracking Solution
Surgical drains, such as JP drains and other post-surgical drainage systems, play a critical role in monitoring fluid output, detecting signs of infection or other complications, and guiding important post-operative care decisions. However, traditional methods of tracking surgical drain output—like handwritten JP drain logs or paper drainage charts—are often inaccurate, time-consuming, and prone to human error. With DrainData, we saw an opportunity to replace outdated tracking methods with smart medical drain tracking technology, ensuring that every output measurement is accurately recorded, analyzed over time, and easily shared with healthcare providers to improve patient recovery outcomes.
How DrainData Improves Surgical Drain Monitoring
Unlock the benefits of accurate surgical drain tracking and maximize your recovery experience with a patient-centered tool designed specifically for real post-surgical care. Built to support JP drain monitoring and overall surgical recovery, our app reduces stress, improves accuracy in recording drain output, and makes it easier for patients and healthcare teams to stay connected and informed throughout the healing process.
Meet the Team
Lisa Copeland
Software Developer
I’ve had the privilege of working at Microsoft and other leading enterprise companies, where I built software solutions designed to solve real-world problems. But my work as a developer is driven by something much more personal.
As a cancer survivor, I know how overwhelming it can be to juggle appointments, surgeries, medications, and follow-ups — all while trying to stay mentally and emotionally grounded. That experience fuels my purpose: to create tools that ease the burden for people navigating serious health challenges.
One of my personal goals is to develop an app that helps patients track their care, stay organized, and feel a bit more in control during a time that often feels anything but. Outside of work, I love riding and boarding horses — a passion that reminds me daily of the importance of patience, connection, and perseverance.
Grant Knaver
Software Developer
I began my career in a people-focused field, where I learned to solve real-world problems through clear communication, creative thinking, and empathy. That foundation ultimately led me to software development—driven by a desire to build tools that genuinely make life easier, especially for people facing complex health challenges.
My name is Grant Knaver, and I’m the founder and lead developer of DrainData. With over 7 years of experience as a full-stack developer, I specialize in building responsive, user-centered applications using modern JavaScript frameworks like Angular and Vue. I’ve worked on projects for Lockheed Martin, Labcorp, Amtrak, and the Veterans Association—often leading efforts that made real impact, like improving data systems, reducing medical processing time, or enabling faster public transport planning.
But DrainData is deeply personal.
After facing a serious autoimmune condition in 2024—and navigating my own surgical recovery—I saw firsthand how difficult it is to keep track of symptoms, output, and follow-up instructions. I wanted to build something that would ease that burden for others. Something clean, simple, mobile-friendly, and medically useful. That’s what sparked the creation of DrainData: a digital tool that helps patients (and their caregivers) track surgical drains and related post-op care in an organized, secure, and practical way.
Today, I’m proud to say the app is live in beta, with over a dozen test users and a clear roadmap for continued development. Our mission is simple: empower patients with tools that help them heal.
Beyond tech, I’m a hot-air ballooning enthusiast, a ghost hunter, and a frequent traveler—especially drawn to the vibrant culture of Southeast Asia.
Thanks for stopping by. If you’d like to learn more, check out our blog, contact me here.