Clamping a pleural drain is contraindicated in any patient receiving positive pressure ventilation or NIV.

Pleural drains should only be clamped on medical orders in specific circumstances which include:

• post pneumonectomy
• during drainage of large volumes of fluid
• in preparation for removal of large bore intercostal catheters
• for short periods to drain collected fluid from drain system tubing
• for change of bottle and /or tubing
• to assess for air leaks
• if is not possible to maintain the drainage system below the patient's chest e.g. moving a patient from bed to bed.