Chest drain pre-insertion list

Aim: 

• To reduce the risk of preventable complications of chest drain insertion. 

Immediately prior to “knife to skin” the Assistant must read out and the operator must confirm the following items:

1. Which side? Has this been double-checked against imaging?
2. Has the patient consented? 
3. Has analgesia and sedation been given?
4. Is all equipment ready? 
5. Trauma - Have antibiotics been prescribed? 
6. Who do we contact if there are problems?