Gary Hammerschlag1, Matthew Denton1, Peter Wallbridge1, Louis Irving1, Mark Hew2,3, Daniel Steinfort1. 1. Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. 2. Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3. School of Public Health & Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound has been shown to improve the accuracy and safety of pleural procedures. Studies to date have been performed in large, specialized units, where pleural procedures are performed by a small number of highly specialized physicians. There are no studies examining the safety and accuracy of ultrasound in the Australian healthcare system where procedures are performed by junior doctors with a high staff turnover. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the ultrasound database in the Respiratory Department at the Royal Melbourne Hospital to determine accuracy and complications associated pleural procedures. RESULTS: A total of 357 ultrasounds were performed between October 2010 and June 2013. Accuracy of pleural procedures was 350 of 356 (98.3%). Aspiration of pleural fluid was successful in 121 of 126 (96%) of patients. Two (0.9%) patients required chest tube insertion for management of pneumothorax. There were no recorded pleural infections, haemorrhage or viscera puncture. CONCLUSION: Ward-based ultrasound for pleural procedures is safe and accurate when performed by appropriately trained and supported junior medical officers. Our findings support this model of pleural service care in the Australian healthcare system.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound has been shown to improve the accuracy and safety of pleural procedures. Studies to date have been performed in large, specialized units, where pleural procedures are performed by a small number of highly specialized physicians. There are no studies examining the safety and accuracy of ultrasound in the Australian healthcare system where procedures are performed by junior doctors with a high staff turnover. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the ultrasound database in the Respiratory Department at the Royal Melbourne Hospital to determine accuracy and complications associated pleural procedures. RESULTS: A total of 357 ultrasounds were performed between October 2010 and June 2013. Accuracy of pleural procedures was 350 of 356 (98.3%). Aspiration of pleural fluid was successful in 121 of 126 (96%) of patients. Two (0.9%) patients required chest tube insertion for management of pneumothorax. There were no recorded pleural infections, haemorrhage or viscera puncture. CONCLUSION: Ward-based ultrasound for pleural procedures is safe and accurate when performed by appropriately trained and supported junior medical officers. Our findings support this model of pleural service care in the Australian healthcare system.
Authors: Peter Wallbridge; Selina M Parry; Sourav Das; Candice Law; Gary Hammerschlag; Louis Irving; Mark Hew; Daniel Steinfort Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2018-10-15 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Matthew Evison; Kevin G Blyth; Rahul Bhatnagar; John Corcoran; Tarek Saba; Tracy Duncan; Rob Hallifax; Liju Ahmed; Alex West; Justin Charles Thane Pepperell; Mark Roberts; Pasupathy Sivasothy; Ioannis Psallidas; Amelia O Clive; Jennifer Latham; Andrew E Stanton; Nick Maskell; Najib Rahman Journal: BMJ Open Respir Res Date: 2018-08-03