pulmonary disorders
How To Do Tube and Catheter Thoracostomy
Positioning for Surgical Tube and Catheter Thoracostomy
In a spontaneously breathing patient, the head of the bed is elevated 30 to 60° to limit the elevation of the diaphragm that occurs during expiration and thus decrease the risk of inadvertent intra-abdominal tube placement. The arm of the affected side can also be placed in a position over the patient’s head or otherwise abducted. The hand can be placed behind the head. 