Chest drains are common on intensive care units for a wide variety of clinical conditions. Despite this, there are no published data on their use within the intensive care unit and minimal published literature to guide decision making regarding the timing of their removal. Therefore, we undertook an audit to review our experience over one year, as to the degree of variability in when chest drains were removed. Using our electronic observation records, we assessed the length of stay of our chest drains against their functionality by whether they remained swinging i. We found that our drains had a mean duration of 5. To conclude, we have devised a three-stage assessment using the acronym I-T-U , to help guide an intensivist in the safe and timely removal of a chest drain.

Bubbling —There are two types of bubbling. Bubbling through the underwater seal valve or through the air leak indicator indicates a persistent air leak. The presence of a leak should be recorded on the daily record chart. The drain will not be removed for 48 hours after last bubble.

Chest drains also known as under water sealed drains UWSD are inserted to allow draining of the pleural spaces of air, blood or fluid, allowing expansion of the lungs and restoration of negative pressure in the thoracic cavity. The underwater seal also prevents backflow of air or fluid into the pleural cavity. Appropriate chest drain management is required to maintain respiratory function and haemodynamic stability. To describe safe and competent management of UWSD chest drains by the health care team. Tension Pneumothorax : One way valve effect which allows air to enter the pleural space, but not leave.

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