High levels of patient and staff satisfaction with Thopaz⁺ in Oxford, UK

Thopaz⁺ is a portable digital chest drainage and monitoring system developed by Medela. Thopaz⁺ offers continuous objective monitoring of air leaks and fluid output, which facilitates assessment of patients' progress, as well as standardisation of chest drainage management across different departments.

Interviews with healthcare professionals using Thopaz⁺ at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the UK have highlighted how this digital drainage system improves staff and patient experience of chest drain management.

Click here to download the 2-page summary of the report.

Challenges with underwater seal drains

Traditional underwater seal drains come with several significant challenges that impact patient safety and mobility:

• Restricted mobility: These drains require wall suction, which restricts patient movement. Patients often need nurse support to detach and reattach the drain, discouraging early mobilisation.
• Increased risk of complications: The necessity for the drain to be positioned below chest level and the dependence on wall suction increase the risk of complications, such as disconnection to the suction, incorrect suction levels, blockages from wet filters, and issues with poorly maintained wall suction.
• Potential for errors and infections: The open system of underwater seal drains increases the potential for incidents and errors.

Improving Patient and Staff Satisfaction with Thopaz⁺

Efficient Monitoring

Based on positive reports with Thopaz and Thopaz⁺ since this system was introduced to Cardiothoracics in 2012, its use has spread across multiple departments. Interviewees from thoracic surgery, respiratory medicine, trauma, critical care and paediatrics all described high satisfaction with Thopaz⁺. Clinicians described how the graphic user interface makes it easier to read and track air and fluid measurements, without staff having to kneel down to estimate fluid volume or bubbling in containers on the floor or mark lines on containers to monitor accumulating fluid levels.

Operational Efficiency

Interviews described operational efficiencies with Thopaz⁺ that can free up nursing time. Because Thopaz⁺ provides and regulates its own suction and is quick to set up, an estimated 45 minutes in staff time is saved for each patient on Thopaz⁺ compared with an underwater seal drain. Staff value not having to check that drains remain attached to wall suction and the reduced time spent switching canisters and checking devices are running correctly.

Troubleshooting Support

Visual and audible alerts warn staff working in other parts of the ward of problems, and a useful troubleshooting guide offers support and reassurance if issues do occur.

Ease of use and ability to read things easily, change things easily, changing settings and programs, and confidence in the device.

Real-World Patient Experience with Thopaz⁺

Increased Mobility

Clinicians using Thopaz⁺ in Oxford also described high levels of patient satisfaction. The portability of Thopaz⁺ is a key factor in this, as it empowers patients to freely move around the ward and hospital whenever they need or want. Being able to visit the hospital café with visitors is a great benefit for hospitalised patients. 

For patient experience, it's much better because it allows ambulation. It's easy to use, they can pick it up, you don't have to look after it like a chest drain bottle - it doesn't need to be below the hip so it can go at any level....

Quicker Recovery and Discharge

Because clinicians have objective evidence of drainage with Thopaz⁺ and can see trends that indicate progress, the digital device can often be removed earlier than an underwater seal drain and patients can be discharged sooner. Patients thus benefit from reduced time fitted with a chest tube and reduced time spent in hospital. Air and fluid output shown on the display also offer curious patients the opportunity to see their own progress.

From the NHS perspective, I think it probably allows us to make earlier decisions about withdrawing chest drains and getting people out of hospital earlier.

Summary 

The real-world experience with Thopaz⁺ at Oxford University Hospitals highlights the significant benefits of this digital drainage technology for both patients and healthcare staff. By addressing the limitations of traditional underwater seal drains, Thopaz⁺ enhances operational efficiency, improves patient mobility, and leads to higher satisfaction levels, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes and a more effective healthcare system.