Thoracentesis, Pigtail Catheter, Nasogastric Tube, and Duo
Tube Placement
Thoracentesis and pig tail placement had a bimodal distribution. The
majority of trainees preformed over 25 thoracentesis (13 residents) and
pig tail catheters (14 residents). The next highest grouping at 5 and 4
trainees preforming between 0 and 5 thoracentesis and pig tail
insertions respectively. Three residents had between 11 and 25
thoracentesis and 4 performed that many pig tails. The smallest number
of trainees (3 individuals) performed between 6 and 10 thoracenteses as
well as pig tail insertions. The majority of residents (13) were taught
by an attending with 9 trainees being taught by a senior resident
(59.1% vs 40.9%). There was a significant improvement in the
standardization of these procedures (4.13 vs 4.64, p=0.03) but no
significant difference on resident perceived ability to perform them.
Nasogastric and duo tube insertion were the most frequently performed
procedures with 17 trainees having done 25 or more within the last year.
Two residents have done between 6 and 10 as well as between 11 and 25
tube placements. Only 1 individual had done between 0 and 5 of these
procedures. The majority of trainees (14) were taught by senior
residents, with the remaining 8 taught by an attending (63.6% vs
36.4%). The standardization of this procedure significantly improved
(4.14 vs 4.61, p=0.03) after the course. However, the trainee’s
perceived ability remained unchanged (p = 1).