Intercostal catheter and chest drain management

Overview

Chest trauma is the second most common traumatic injury in non-intentional trauma. (NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, 2016) Trauma to the chest is associated with the highest mortality; in some studies, up to 60% depending on the mechanism of injury. (Doyle & McCutcheon, 2015) The management of chest trauma often requires the insertion of intercostal catheter to treat life-threatening injuries including traumatic haemo-pneumothorax.

Clinicians caring for patients with intercostal catheters and chest drainage systems require knowledge
and skills of the overarching principles of ICC management to optimise treatment and reduce the risk to
patients. Patients with ICCs should be cared for in clinical environments where clinicians are competent
in the assessment and ongoing management of ICC with the ability to effectively troubleshoot and
escalate care where necessary.

Description

This resource kit provides healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills on how to optimise the management of a patient with an ICC and chest drainage systems following a traumatic chest injury.

Learning objectives

• Describe the principles of chest drainage systems including underwater and dry seal drains.
• Understand strategies to troubleshoot and escalate care with chest drainage systems.

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Further reading