A regional survey of chest drains: evidence-based practice?. Issue 886 (1st August 1999)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Augustine; Hooper, Timothy; Hasan, Ragheb
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 75:Issue 886(1999)
• Page Start: 471
• Page End: 474
• Publication Date: 1999-08-01
• Subjects: chest drains -- clinical audit; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.75.886.471
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : Although the use of chest drains is common in medicine, there appear to be wide variations in practice. A survey was therefore conducted to establish the current status of chest drain management in the Northwest region. A questionnaire targeted consultants practising in the specialties of chest medicine, general surgery, accident & emergency and cardiothoracic surgery. The questionnaire consisted of five sections encompassing aspects of the insertion, day-to-day care and removal of chest drains. With an overall response rate of 75.3% (110/146), important variations in every major aspect of the practice of chest drains were found between the specialties and to a large extent within each specialty. We have made a number of recommendations which aim to encourage good practice and reduce unnecessary complications, including the adoption of standardised protocols for inserting and managing chest drains.