title: Nurse-led chest drain removal in a cardiac high dependency unit.
abstract: Within the cardiac high dependency unit it is currently a member of the surgical team who makes the decision for a patient's chest drain to be removed after cardiac surgery. This has often resulted in delays in discharging one patient and therefore in admitting the next. A pilot study was carried out using a working standard that had been developed, incorporating an algorithmic model. The results have enabled nursing staff in a cardiac high dependency unit to undertake this responsibility independently.
authors.affiliation: General Intensive Care Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton. martinchristensen1@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D015505:Chest Tubes; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000451:nursing* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010865:Pilot Projects