Thoracentesis

  • Patient preparation: check PT and PTT and platelets and Hgb, obtain informed consent, sedation per clinical service
  • Technique:
    — Sterile prep and drape, place sterile cover on transducer
    — Using real-time ultrasound guidance, insert a 20-22 gauge catheter into the pleural collection and aspirate the fluid
    — Give sample to clinical team
  • Images to obtain: transverse and sagittal grayscale images of chest
  • Looking for: needle in pleural fluid
  • Post procedure tasks: PA expiratory CXR to rule out pneumothorax