Thoracentesis Course

Thoracentesis is a procedure to aspirate pleural fluid from the pleural space.  A diagnostic thoracentesis can be performed to determine the etiology of pleural effusions or to determine if the patient has infected pleural fluid, or a therapeutic thoracentesis can be performed to drain a symptomatic pleural effusion.  The thoracentesis course uses advanced ultrasound-compatible simulators and Saf-T-centesis kits to train clinicians how to perform a landmark-guided thoracentesis or an ultrasound-guided thoracentesis.  This course also teaches students how to manage thoracentesis complications and how to perform pleural fluid analysis.

Our thoracentesis training is a component of our live Hospitalist and Emergency Procedures CME course which teaches clinicians how to perform the 20 most essential procedures needed to work in the ER, ICU, and hospital wards.

CLICK HERE to find out more about our premier live Hospitalist and Emergency Procedures CME course

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Thoracentesis Lab Photos

Thoracentesis Course

Thoracentesis Video

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Thoracentesis Course trains students in:

  • Indications for a Thoracentesis
  • Contraindications for a Thoracentesis
  • Complications of a Thoracentesis
  • Equipment for a Thoracentesis
  • Proper positioning and technique for a Thoracentesis
  • Ultrasound-guided Thoracentesis
  • Thoracentesis troubleshooting
  • Pleural fluid analysis
  • Coding for a Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis Photos

Thoracentesis Reference Card

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Thoracentesis Blogs

Informed Consent and Ethical Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
COVID, CPAP, CPR, emergent intubation, Endotracheal Intubation, Featured, Informed consent, noninvasive ventilation, NPPV
Informed consent can be challenging during “normal” times, but it has become increasingly complicated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The informed consent process ensures that a patient or their surrogate decision-maker understands the benefits, potential risks and any alternatives of a…
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Tube Thoracostomy Insertion

Safety of Thoracentesis and Tube Thoracostomy in Patients with Uncorrected Coagulopathies

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
Anticoagulants and Procedures, Anticoagulation, Antiplatelet therapy, antiplatelets, Chest tube, chest tube placement, chest tubes, coagulopathy, Featured, Thoracentesis
Traditionally, it was felt that the INR had to be less than 1.5 and platelets had to be at least 50,000/µL to perform most bedside procedures. With more clinical evidence, we now know that low-risk bedside procedures can be performed…
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Thoracentesis Course

Thoracentesis-Associated Pneumothorax is Rare when Performed by Procedural Experts Using Ultrasound Guidance

Joseph Esherick, M.D., FAAFP, FHM
Featured Procedure, HPC Updates, Pneumothorax, Thoracentesis, Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis
Original studies of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis concluded a 2% risk of pneumothorax. A recent single center study of 9320 thoracenteses over 12 years all by procedural experts had pneumothorax rate of 0.6%. This same study also demonstrated a very low incidence…
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Hospitalist and Emergency Procedures CME Courses Available

Register HERE 21 days before the course to SAVE $50-150 and get the following:

  1. 12 month online access to Online CME course, procedure video bundle, instructional posters
  2. Indefinite online access to PDFs of all course lectures, course handouts, and HPC Adult Critical Care and Emergency Drug Reference Drug
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