Unless chest drain insertion is urgent, explain the procedure to the patient and obtain written consent [1] and find a NATSSIP checklist. Then identify that you have the necessary kit. Note that in cases of life-threatening haemothorax, re-using the patient’s blood through use of a cell saver is only possible if the drainage system is primed with saline, not sterile water.
The items of kit include:
- Cotton wool
- Skin antiseptic solution e.g. iodine or chlorhexidine in alcohol
- Gauze swabs
- A selection of syringes and needles
- A scalpel blade
- Suture (e.g. ‘1’ silk)
- A chest drain
- 1% lignocaine
- 3 sterile drapes
- An instrument for blunt dissection (e.g. curved clamp).