Chest drain pre-insertion list

Aim: 

  • Treduce 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?
Related guidelines