Report received stated a patient on a thora-seal chest drain was switched to a heimlich valve for computed tomography (ct) purposes.On preparation for transfer to intensive care unit (icu), they attached oasis chest drain on gravity drainage with a 24fr catheter, within minutes the patient developed a tension pneumothorax, cardiac arrest and they had to remove the air by syringe to decompress the tension.
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The unit was received and inspected.Upon initial inspection of the chest drain, the original packaging materials that protect the drain were not provided.The drain was not cleaned prior to shipment, therefore the drain had to be disinfected prior to testing.The drain as returned had a very small diameter tubing approximately 5fr attached to the patient drain line.The diameter of the tubing is far too small for successful evacuation.Small diameter tubing attached to patient line of the drain using a smaller blue rubber piece at the junction.To determine if the returned drain was operating properly the drain was prepped per the instruction for use and a vacuum of 109cmh2o was applied to the suction nozzle.The vacuum realized at the end of the patient tube was approximately -20cmh2o but was fluctuating as there was rapid bubbling in the water seal.This indicates that there is an air leak in the system.When the vacuum was applied the fluid in the test beaker was easily transferred into the drain.This was then repeated with the drain regulator set to -40cmh2o.Again the output was measured and was also accurate to the regulator setting but still indicating that there was an air leak.To determine where the leak was emanating from the tubing was clamped starting at the first drain connection line and the drain no longer leaked.When the blue tubing line was clamped, the drain began to leak again.This technique was able to isolate the leak to the blue tubing to the main drain line connection as the area of the leak.The drain was then tested to ensure it would work properly when set up using only gravity.The chest drain was placed on the floor below the test bench.The test bench is 34in above the drain.The drain patient line tubing was placed in a 10,000ml glass beaker filled with water and blue dye so as the evacuation is easily seen.Upon placing the drain line tube into the glass beaker the drain would drain but was extremely slow as the diameter was not sufficient to be affective combined with the line air leak.Based on the test results the connection of the catheter to the patient line was far too small and had an air leak prohibiting the chest drain from functioning properly.Clinical evaluation: the oasis chest drain is indicated for use in evacuating air and/or fluid from the chest cavity or mediastinum, to help re-establish lung expansion and restore breathing dynamics.It also facilitates post-operative collection and reinfusion of autologous blood from the patient¿s pleural cavity or mediastinal area.It is imperative that chest drainage systems and patient status be methodically assessed at frequent and regular intervals.The system must be checked for loose connections, tubing security and presence or absence of air leak.Other inspections include kinking of the tubing, dependent loops, closed clamps, color and character of the drainage, the rate of drainage, the water seal, bubbling (continuous or intermittent) and the negative pressure indicator.
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