The North American Rescue Simple Thoracostomy Kit provides all components required to perform a simple (finger) thoracostomy — the TCCC-recognized escalation procedure when needle decompression has failed. The kit includes a protected #10 scalpel, curved Rochester Pean hemostat, HyFin® Vent Compact Twin Pack chest seal, gauze, Chloraprep swabsticks, and permanent marker, all vacuum-sealed in a compact 5.28 oz package (SKU 83-0027).
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | North American Rescue (NAR) |
| SKU | 83-0027 |
| Packaged Dimensions | L 4.5 in. × W 7.5 in. × D 0.75 in. |
| Weight | 5.28 oz (0.33 lbs) |
| Packaging | Vacuum-sealed bag; easy-to-open design |
| Intended Procedure | Simple (finger) thoracostomy for tension pneumothorax management |
| Bilateral Capability | Includes 3-pack skin prep swabsticks for bilateral procedure if needed |
Kit Contents
| Qty | Item | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | #10 Protected Safety Scalpel (PenBlade) | Skin and intercostal muscle incision |
| 1 | Rochester Pean Curved Hemostat — 6.25 in. | Blunt dissection through intercostal muscle and parietal pleura penetration |
| 1 | HyFin® Vent Compact Chest Seal — Twin Pack | Covers thoracostomy site in spontaneously breathing patients; prevents tension re-accumulation |
| 2 | Gauze Pads 4 in. × 4 in. (2 pk each) | Wound management and site preparation |
| 1 | Chloraprep® Swabsticks (3 pk) | Site preparation / antiseptic skin prep; sufficient for bilateral procedure |
| 1 | Permanent Marker — Black, Small | Writing on chest seal (time, side, provider ID) for handoff documentation |
Product Overview
Simple thoracostomy — also called finger thoracostomy or open thoracostomy — is the manual creation of a pleural space entry using blunt dissection. Unlike needle chest decompression, which requires successful traversal through potentially thick or variable chest wall tissue with a needle/catheter, simple thoracostomy directly opens the intercostal space and allows a trained provider to confirm pleural entry with a gloved finger. It is faster to confirm and more reliably effective than NDC in patients with difficult anatomy.
Per TCCC guidelines, simple thoracostomy is an option following two unsuccessful needle decompression attempts when the provider has the skills, experience, and authorizations to perform the procedure. It is also used proactively for unconscious, intubated patients in some prehospital protocols where the inability to self-regulate breathing necessitates open pleural access rather than a one-way valve catheter. The HyFin® Vent Compact Twin Pack included in this kit is designed to cover the site in spontaneously breathing patients — providing vented occlusion that allows continued air release while preventing open wound contamination.
At 5.28 oz and L 4.5 in. × W 7.5 in. × D 0.75 in., the Simple Thoracostomy Kit fits in a MARCH-compliant aid bag respiratory intervention compartment, crash cart, or advanced prehospital kit without occupying excessive space. The vacuum-sealed packaging maintains long-term sterility and allows tactile kit assessment through the pouch.
Simple Thoracostomy — Procedure Overview
For trained providers only. Always follow your agency's medical protocols and standing medical orders.
- Identify insertion site: 4th–5th intercostal space at the anterior axillary line (or per protocol)
- Prep skin with Chloraprep® swabstick if conditions allow
- Use the #10 protected scalpel to make a 2–3 cm incision through skin and subcutaneous tissue, just above the upper border of the rib (avoiding the neurovascular bundle)
- Insert the curved Rochester Pean hemostat, closed, through the intercostal muscle; once the tip is at the parietal pleura, open the hemostat to bluntly dissect through and enter the pleural space
- Confirm pleural entry with a gloved finger sweep — assess for clot, position, and lung expansion
- In spontaneously breathing patients: apply a HyFin® Vent Compact Chest Seal from the Twin Pack to cover the site; write time, side, and provider ID on the seal with the permanent marker
- Monitor for re-accumulation; escalate to chest tube (83-0007/83-0039) if sustained drainage is required
Simple Thoracostomy vs. Chest Tube Thoracostomy — Decision Points
| Factor | Simple Thoracostomy | Chest Tube (CTT) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Faster | Requires more setup |
| Sustained drainage | Limited | Yes — tube + Heimlich valve |
| Hemothorax drainage | Limited | Effective — especially 36 FR |
| Intubated patients | Preferred by some protocols | Definitive |
| Kit weight | 5.28 oz | 9.8 oz |
Also available: the NAR Chest Tube Insertion Kit (28 FR and 36 FR) for definitive drainage, and a complete range of needle decompression devices including the ARS® and SPEAR®. Build out a complete thoracic trauma system from the Chest & Thoracic Supplies collection.
All products sourced from the actual brand manufacturer or authorized master distributors. CoTCCC recommendation status verified where applicable. Ships from MED-TAC International, Pembroke Pines, FL — clinician-founded, veteran-led, SDVOSB-certified.
Specifications coming soon. Contact us for detailed product information.
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