chest tube removal

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I WORK IN A BUSY CCU/ICU DEPT. I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE REMOVAL OF CHEST TUBES. DO RN'S IN YOUR HOSPITAL REMOVE CHEST TUBES S/P CABG 12-24 HOUR POST-OP? WE HAVE A COUPLE OF RN'S WHO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THIS TASK. I AM NOT. I NEVER HAVE BEEN CHECKED OFF OR TAUGHT THIS PROCEDURE ON A FRESH HEART. :eek:

Specializes in Cardiothoracic Nurse,Nurse Educator.

I work in a teaching hospital in Nigeria,The cardiothoracic trained nurses were taught how to remove chest tubes,but at the long run,only the surgeons end up doing the procedure.

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Specializes in ICU/CVICU.

I pull mediastinal tubes in my OHS patients, not pleural tubes however. Try to pay attention to the difference on XR or communicate with doc.

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Specializes in CVICU, ICU, RRT, CVPACU.

In my unit we pull all chest tubes, PA caths, lines and pretty much anything else. We assist with Balloon pump DC's. We pull pacing wires, ect, ect. I work in a great CVICU where we have a lot of autonomy...............you had just better be smart about what you do or you will pay for it.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/Dialysis.

In my unit, RNs can remove chest tubes, however, you must attend training, and then you have to have 3-4 witnessed CT removals before you can do them on your own.

Look at your state's scope of practice. Do not do anything without the proper training.

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At my hospital, we have a policy that RNs may pull mediastnal CT only. However, the surgeon or the PA usually end up pulling the mediastinal and pleural CTs at the same time. I have only pulled 3 mediastinal CTs in my career.:heartbeat

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:)In the unit where I used to work RN's were allowed to remove chest tubes, provided that you have been found competent in the procedure.

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Specializes in Critical Care; ICU; CCU.

RN's who have been signed off on a competency pull medistinal and pleural chest tubes at the hospital I work at. I would never do it without proper training or being signed off though!

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Specializes in Critical care.

This is a very old thread, but considering the new replies, here goes...

My state (AZ) says it's a no no for RN's to pull pleural tubes. We can pull MS tubes, however. Having said that, my doc pulled all the tubes, and the epi wires, too.

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Specializes in Critical Care; ICU; CCU.

I work in AZ too and we have been signed off by doctors to pull PT. I looked at the AZ Board of Nursing site, but cannot find information about what is in the scope of practice. They only have the meetings listed. How do you know nurses are not supposed to pull pleural tubes and can you tell me where to find that information? Thanks. I I do know that doctors have to pull epicardial wires.

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Specializes in CVICU, Army Nurse Corps.

Not going to say where I work, but our RN's pull them in the CVICU. Our "policy" is a see one, do one, teach one, kind of deal.....not so safe, but we actually haven't ever had any problems.

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Specializes in CCU, ICU, Airomedical emergencies.

It's common practice in my unit for RN's to pull chest drains. The protocol says to remove the drains after at least 3 hours of no drainage or bubbling.

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RN's in my unit remove ct's. once taught and you understand the complications following inappropriate removal, you'll be fine, just remember breath sounds before and after

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