Pleural procedures workshop: Our experience in Ayr Hospital

<bold>Background:</bold> Pleural diseases contribute to significant workload; 21659 aspirations or intercostal chest drain (ICD) insertions were conducted annually in England, resulting in pleural procedures becoming core capabilities in several higher speciality circular. A NPSA Alert was triggered in 2008 following multiple ICD-related adverse outcomes due to poor selection of insertion site, inadequate supervision and awareness of guidelines. Subsequently, NHS National Reporting and Learning System reported 16 adverse incidents due to uncontrolled effusion drainage. Report recommendations included review of local procedural documents and provision of adequate training. <bold>Aims:</bold> NHS Ayrshire&Arran Pleural Procedures workshop was developed to enhance clinician knowledge of patient selection for pleural procedures, awareness of local guidelines, including practical sessions. <bold>Methods:</bold> Four workshops were conducted in November 2023. Pre-course survey examined prior procedural confidence and training, and vignettes examined clinical knowledge. This survey was repeated post-course. <bold>Results:</bold> 48 practitioners of various grades and specialities attended. 12.5% had prior pleural procedures training. 79% had previous pleural procedures exposure; candidates identified multiple barriers to procedure experience. Results demonstrated statistically significant enhancement of candidates’ confidence in conducting procedures and clinical knowledge following these workshops. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA2582/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>