Thoracentesis PRINT
I. Equipment
a. Paracentesis/Thoracentesis kit
b. Sterile cap for syringe if labs ordered
c. Sterile ultrasound probe cover
d. Two 1,000 mL vacuum bottles
e. Mask
II. Preparation
a. The radiologist/RA is responsible for verifying medications and exam appropriateness
i. Follow RIA medication guidelines for medical imaging procedures
III. Personnel
a. Radiologist/RA
i. Responsible for reviewing and obtaining consent
ii. Verifies pleural fluid and performs exam
b. Ultrasound Technologist
i. Prints order for radiologist/RA review
ii. Documents patient history
iii. Obtains scout images
iv. Documents size and characterizes effusion
v. Assists the radiologist/RA with the procedure
vi. Obtains post drainage images
IV. Procedure
a. Scout images with doppler color to locate ideal effusion access (free of lung tissue and blood vessels)
b. Mark patient’s skin at the appropriate site for thoracentesis (Mask)
c. Prep and drape using maximum barrier sterile technique
d. Anesthetize the skin and subcutaneous tissue
e. Advance Yueh catheter into pleural space with ultrasound guidance
f. Remove pleural fluid (max amount – 1,500mL)
g. Obtain AP chest x-ray post procedure to check for complications
V. Required Images
a. SCOUT ultrasound images of pleural effusion
b. POST DRAIN ultrasound images
c. Post procedure AP chest x-ray
VI. Special Considerations
a. INR is above 1.7 – Supervising radiologist approval required