Algorithm Feasibility
A total of 26 patients were enrolled, with 10 in each treatment group and 6 in the observation group. There was 100% enrollment of patients in each treatment group to study completion. Although there were no health care professional protocol deviations in consented patients, 2 thoracic surgeons voiced a preference for surgery in 3 patients (3 of 48 exclusions [6%]) screened for inclusion. These patients were excluded prior to consent.Two amendments were made to the protocol during the trial period. The first was to drop the minimum size of the initial chest tube from 14F to 12F, as outside hospitals were referring patients with 12F chest tubes. The second was a change to the wording for protocol image 1 to “next day” instead of “within 24 to 48 hours,” as specific time restraints were restrictive for patient care.