TY - JOUR T1 - Compliance in a district hospital with 2010 British Thoracic Society guidelines on initial management strategies for acute spontaneous pneumothoraces JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P3361 AU - Numbere Numbere AU - Ajikumar Kavidasan AU - Rabinder Randhawa AU - Milan Bhattacharya Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P3361.abstract N2 - The 2010 BTS pleural disease guidelines provide a framework for managing acute spontaneous pneumothoraces. We looked at compliance over 12 months (2010 - 2011) with BTS recommended initial management strategies in a district hospital.METHODWe searched records using keyword "pneumothorax". Only patients 16 years or older with a diagnosis of acute spontaneous pneumothorax were included.RESULTSWe identified 25 cases: 20 male and 5 female. 13 were primary type and 12 were secondary.10 were aspirated, 11 had drains inserted and 4 discharged without action. Initial management was BTS compliant in 22 / 25 cases (88%). 3 were non-compliant including 2 unnecessary drains and 1 aspirated case that should have been drained.CONCLUSIONWe found excellent compliance at 88% but a high unnecessary drainage rate, 2 / 11. To stop unnecessary / unsafe chest drain insertion, we led a trust-wide publicity campaign based around an awareness poster and a chest drain proforma.It remains key that BTS pneumothorax guidance including drain indications is reinforced - chest drain proformas are useful tools toward this. ER -