Thoracentecis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-9W-Y2dbpc

18G angiocath needle, skin cleansing agent, gauze, sterile glove and drape, hemostat, lidocaine.

10 mL syringe and 22G and 25G needle

60 mL syringe, 3 way stop-cock, sterile drainage tubing, specimen tubes, large evacuated containers, sterile occlusive dressing.

Site: 5-10 cm lateral to spine. 1-2 ICS below the top of the effusion (determined by percussion transition from flat to resonant). DO NOT GO BELOW 9TH RIB.