In my CCU, we routinely pull mediastinal chest tubes on cardiac surgery patients. Now we have been asked to pull pleural chest tubes. Is there a big difference? If we pull one type, should we be able to pull the other? Can we do so legally? We have a policy for pulling mediastinal only. 0 Likes
focker14 Specializes in Anesthesia. Has 8 years experience. Nov 15, 2012 Acutally pulling the midiastinal CT would make one be more cautious....pleural CT are not an issue whatsoever! 0 Likes
juan de la cruz, MSN, RN, NP Specializes in APRN, Adult Critical Care. Has 27 years experience. Nov 16, 2012 Pleural tube removal is not a benign procedure. Accumulation or recurrence of a pneumothorax is the main concern with chest tube removal. With that said, chest tube removal technique makes a difference in minimizing this risk. As long as RN's are covered by hospital policy with no Board of Nursing restriction on this practice, they can be adequately trained to remove chest tubes. 0 Likes
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma. Has 40 years experience. Nov 16, 2012 Removing any chest tube ia a practiced skill. I have seen devastating occurrences happen with both. You really need to call your BON and ask them specifically AND be sure you have been adequately trained for this task with a hospital policy in place. Some BON's have specific position statement concerning this practice.....check with them.http://www.azbn.gov/documents/advisory_opinion/AO%20Chest%20Tubes_%20Removal%20of%20Pleural%20&%20Mediastinal%20Chest%20Tubes.pdf 0 Likes
nursingpower Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care. Nov 17, 2012 In our ICU we pull mediastinal and pleural chest tubes. They teach us while orienting in the unit. Only difference is that if we have mediastinal and pleurals, we are to pull the mediastinal chest tubes 1st. 0 Likes
CVmursenary Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU. Has 1 years experience. Nov 17, 2012 I pull these too; just ask them to inhale, pull with vasaline dressing and hold pressure for a minute or 2 and place pressure tape. 0 Likes
limaRN, BSN, RN Specializes in ICU/CCU/CVICU. Has 3 years experience. Nov 26, 2012 In the ICU I work in we do not pull either. I am actually really surprised to hear that others do. Maybe there is a difference in state practice. 0 Likes
