Routine Chest Radiographs after Uncomplicated Thoracentesis

Following the uncomplicated thoracentesis, the hospitalist reconsidered the initial decision to order a CXR and rapidly assessed the patient’s risk of complications. Because the procedure required only one needle pass, air was not aspirated, and the patient did not experience prolonged coughing or pain, the CXR order was canceled. The patient recovered uneventfully and was spared the cost and radiation associated with the proposed CXR.

Do you think this is a low-value practice? Is this truly a “Thing We Do for No Reason?” Share what you do in your practice and join in the conversation online by retweeting it on Twitter (#TWDFNR) and liking it on Facebook. We invite you to propose ideas for other “Things We Do for No Reason” topics by emailing TWDFNR@hospitalmedicine.org.cknowledgments

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Patricia Kritek and Somnath Mookherjee for their comments on an early version of this manuscript.

Disclosures

The authors have nothing to disclose.