Patient identification spreadsheet data collection
August 2025
Clinical data collection
To commence October 2025
Organisational data collection
To commence November 2025
Publication date
Winter 2026
Aim
To identify areas for improvement in the quality of care for patients undergoing pleural procedures (chest drains).
To review the incident investigations relating to ‘pleural procedures (chest drains)’ and associated lessons learned.
To identify patient safety incidents that have not been reported.
Participation
All hospitals in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Jersey, where patients are treated who require insertion of chest drains (including independent hospitals where applicable).
Patient identification spreadsheets
We will identify a sample of patients who were admitted to hospital between 1st January 2024 and 31st December 2024 and had a chest drain inserted during their hospital stay.
A spreadsheet has been disseminated to our Local Reporters to populate with basic details about patients who fit the criteria to participate in the study. More information can be found here
The deadline for the return of spreadsheets is 19th September 2025.
Clinician questionnaires
Should be completed by the clinician responsible for the patient at the time of discharge (to be disseminated)
Clinician survey
This is being collected in collaboration with GSST and will look at the confidence and competence of clinicians who are inserting chest drains.
Data has been collected from General medicine consultant and Trainee doctors. This will be extended to include clinicians in Emergency Medicine and Intensive care.
A link to the survey is here
Case note extracts for review
Case notes will be requested for all patients included in the peer review aspect of the study. A list of the required case notes can be found here
Organisational questionnaires
An organisational questionnaire will be sent to all hospitals where patients might undergo chest drains
Any other queries relating to this study should be also addressed to pleural@ncepod.org.uk.
