Can antibiotics prevent infection in patients sent home with a chest tube?
NCT ID NCT03943511
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether giving oral antibiotics and having twice-weekly phone check-ins could reduce chest infections in people sent home with a chest tube and valve for a prolonged air leak. It compared this approach to standard care, where patients simply call their care team when the leak stops. The trial was terminated early and only enrolled 25 participants, so the findings are not conclusive.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- oral antibiotics (Keflex or Clindamycin)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that close monitoring and preventive antibiotics reduce the risk of serious chest infections after hospital discharge.
- What could go wrong
- The study was terminated early with only 25 participants, so results are very limited. It also only applies to people with a specific type of air leak and chest tube.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
-
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
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