Resources

Resource Files – General

Clinical Papers
  • Active clearance vs conventional management of chest tubes after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled study

    In this RCT, the implementation of active clearance of chest tubes reduced re-exploration and chest tube clogging in patients after cardiac surgery further supporting recommendations to consider this modality postoperatively. (St-Onge, et al, 2021)

    Updated: March 24, 2021

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    Active clearance vs conventional management of chest tubes after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled study
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=749
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • Active clearance of chest tubes is associated with reduced postoperative complications and costs after cardiac surgery: a propensity matched analysis

    Reduction of patient complications and hospital resource utilization after heart surgery demonstrated with use of the PleuraFlow ACT System. (Baribeau, et al, 2019)

    Updated: November 14, 2019

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    Active clearance of chest tubes is associated with reduced postoperative complications and costs after cardiac surgery: a propensity matched analysis
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=732
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society Recommendations

    Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) evidence-based protocols for perioperative care can lead to improvements in clinical outcomes and cost savings. This article aims to present consensus recommendations for the optimal perioperative management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. (Daniel T. Engelman, MD, et al, 2019)

    Updated: May 13, 2019

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    Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Society Recommendations
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=710
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Examining the impact of active clearance of chest drainage catheters on postoperative atrial fibrillation

    Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is one of the most frequent complications encountered after heart surgery, and significantly increases complications and mortality. (St. Onge, et al, 2017)

    Updated: April 2, 2018

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    Examining the impact of active clearance of chest drainage catheters on postoperative atrial fibrillation
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=697
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • Active Clearance of Chest Tubes Reduces Re-Exploration for Bleeding After Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

    Chest tubes are utilized to evacuate shed blood after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, however, they can become clogged, leading to retained blood. We implemented a protocol for active tube clearance (ATC) of chest tubes to determine if this might reduce interventions for retained blood. (Maltais, 2016)

    Updated: April 2, 2018

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    Active Clearance of Chest Tubes Reduces Re-Exploration for Bleeding After Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=696
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • Pericardial Blood as a Trigger for Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery

    Prevention strategies have long been sought to reduce the incidence and burden of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after heart surgery. (St-Onge, 2017)

    Updated: December 20, 2017

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    Pericardial Blood as a Trigger for Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=688
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing safety and efficacy of posterior pericardial drainage in patients undergoing heart surgery

    Review of 19 randomized controlled trials published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Showed post pericardial drainage is safe and effective technique associated with a reduction in tamponade, early and late pericardial effusions, POAF and hospital stay. These benefits, in turn, translate into improved survival after heart surgery. (Gozdek, 2017)

    Updated: December 8, 2017

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    Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing safety and efficacy of posterior pericardial drainage in patients undergoing heart surgery
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=687
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Outcome after procedures for retained blood syndrome in coronary surgery

    A total of 2764 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG from 2006 to 2013 were investigated retrospectively. Conclusion was that patients requiring any procedure for blood removal from pericardial and pleural spaces is associated with an increased risk of severe complications after isolated CABG. (Tauriainen, 2017)

    Updated: April 17, 2017

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    Outcome after procedures for retained blood syndrome in coronary surgery
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=635
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Impact of Retained Blood Requiring Reintervention on Outcomes After Cardiac Surgery

    Study published in Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery which reviewed patient complications in pleural and pericardial cavities after cardiac surgery. Found statistically significant increases in mortality, hospital and ICU LOS, time of ventilation, and incidence of hemolysis in patients with retained blood interventions due to incomplete evacuation of shed blood. (Balzer, 2016)

    Updated: April 17, 2017

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    Impact of Retained Blood Requiring Reintervention on Outcomes After Cardiac Surgery
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=632
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Tamponade Relief by Active Clearance of Chest Tubes

    This is a case report of a patient who developed a tamponade in the ICU while recovering from heart surgery. The tamponade was recognized, and captured on Echo imaging. The patient had a PleuraFlow, so they actuated it a few times, and a clot was removed, and a gush of blood drained. The patient’s condition greatly improved, and the tamponade disappeared on Echo. (Vistarini, 2016)

    Updated: April 17, 2017

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    Tamponade Relief by Active Clearance of Chest Tubes
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=571
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Retained Blood Syndrome After Cardiac Surgery: A New Look at an Old Problem

    Retained post surgical blood, known as Retained Blood Syndrome (RBS), occurs in 1 in 5 patients and results in the need for invasive post-op re-interventions for tamponade and/or hemothorax in the acute setting, pericardial and/or pleural effusions subacutely, or fibrosis in the chronic setting. (Boyle. 2015)

    Updated: January 3, 2016

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    Retained Blood Syndrome After Cardiac Surgery: A New Look at an Old Problem
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=533
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Active clearance of chest drainage catheters reduces retained blood

    Active tube clearance reduces interventions for retained blood syndrome and postoperative atrial fibrillation, underscoring the importance of maintaining chest tube patency after cardiac surgery. (Sirch. 2015)

    Updated: January 3, 2016

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    Active clearance of chest drainage catheters reduces retained blood
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=532
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • Hemoglobin-associated oxidative stress in the pericardial compartment of postoperative cardiac surgery patients

    Study that showed that retained blood in the pericardium leads to an intense, local pro-oxidant, pro-inflammatory response that may damage the pericardial environment and contribute to the development of POAF. (Kramer.2015)

    Updated: April 17, 2017

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    Hemoglobin-associated oxidative stress in the pericardial compartment of postoperative cardiac surgery patients
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=629
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • Superior Chest Drainage With an Active Tube Clearance System

    Evaluation of a Downsized Chest Tube, published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery (Arakawa. 2010)

    Updated: February 13, 2015

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    Superior Chest Drainage With an Active Tube Clearance System
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=305
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • To Strip or Not to Strip?

    To Strip or Not to Strip? Physiological Effects of Chest Tube Manipulation, published in the American Journal of Critical Care (Halm. 2007)

    Updated: February 13, 2015

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    To Strip or Not to Strip?
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=301
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Incidence of chest tube clogging after cardiac surgery

    Incidence of chest tube clogging after cardiac surgery: a single-centre prospective observational study, published in the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (Karimov. 2013)

    Updated: February 13, 2015

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    Incidence of chest tube clogging after cardiac surgery
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=300
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • Prevalence and Clinical Course of Pleural Effusions at 30 Days after Coronary Artery and Cardiac Surgery

    Prevalence and Clinical Course of Pleural Effusions at 30 Days after Coronary Artery and Cardiac Surgery, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (Light. 2002)

    Updated: February 13, 2015

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    Prevalence and Clinical Course of Pleural Effusions at 30 Days after Coronary Artery and Cardiac Surgery
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=299
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • The PleuraFlow Active Chest Tube Clearance System Initial Clinical Experience in Adult Cardiac Surgery

    The PleuraFlow Active Chest Tube Clearance System Initial Clinical Experience in Adult Cardiac Surgery, published in the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (Perrault. 2012)

    Updated: February 13, 2015

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    The PleuraFlow Active Chest Tube Clearance System Initial Clinical Experience in Adult Cardiac Surgery
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=298
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • Chest Tube Selection in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery

    Chest Tube Selection in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery: A Survey of Chest Tube-Related Complications and Their Management (Shalli. 2009)

    Updated: February 13, 2015

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    Chest Tube Selection in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=297
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Improved drainage with active chest tube clearance

    Improved drainage with active chest tube clearance, published in Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery (Shiose. 2010)

    Updated: February 13, 2015

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    Improved drainage with active chest tube clearance
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=296
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
Keycards & Flyers
  • Milking & Stripping Flyer

    The Facts About Milking and Stripping - The Solution is The PleuraFlow® Active Clearance Technology® System

    Updated: November 7, 2017

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    Milking & Stripping Flyer
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=682
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Channel/Blake Drain Keycard

    “The Facts” About Channel/Blake Drains

    Updated: November 7, 2017

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    Channel/Blake Drain Keycard
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=679
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Milking & Stripping Keycard

    “The Facts” About Milking And Stripping  

    Updated: November 7, 2017

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    Milking & Stripping Keycard
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=677
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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Brochure & Product Information Sheets
  • PleuraFlow®: The ZIP Product Information Sheet

    The ZIP accessory is a non-sterile reusable hand-held external magnetic shuttle that can be used to couple to and move the Clearance Wire of the PleuraFlow® ACT® System in place of the integral shuttle when the user determines that additional magnetic coupling strength is needed.

    Updated: January 2, 2020

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    PleuraFlow®: The ZIP Product Information Sheet
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=734
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • PleuraFlow® RA and PleuraFlow® XDL Product Information Sheet

    Enhanced drainage capacity with the confidence of chest tube patency. PleuraFlow Right Angle and PleuraFlow Extended Drainage Length facilitate effective drainage from harder-to-reach anatomical positions.

    Updated: January 25, 2021

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    PleuraFlow® RA and PleuraFlow® XDL Product Information Sheet
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=719
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • PleuraFlow POD® Product Information Sheet

    The PleuraFlow POD® features a dual collection chamber design which allows for multiple spaces to be connected to a single unit for single or multiple catheter drainage - a significant economic advantage.

    Updated: January 20, 2020

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    PleuraFlow POD® Product Information Sheet
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=703
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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Videos
Presentations
Economic Information and Calculator
  • Retained Blood Cost and Sales Program Calculator

    This tool will help you calculate the cost of Retained Blood Syndrome Interventions.

    Updated: June 27, 2017

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    Retained Blood Cost and Sales Program Calculator
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=655
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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Media Kit
ACT Registry Files
  • ACT Registry Summary

    ACT Registry Summary PleuraFlow® Active Clearance Technology™ System The ACT Registry – Prevention of Retained-Blood Outcomes with Active Clearance Technology is a multinational registry of cardiothoracic surgery patients.

    Updated: March 4, 2015

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    ACT Registry Summary
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=287
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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Regulatory and Governance
  • CE – Certificate of Registration of Quality Management System to I.S. EN ISO 13485:2016

    CE - Certificate of Registration of Quality Management System to I.S. EN ISO 13485:2016 ClearFlow, Inc. has been assessed and deemed to comply with the requirements of the above standard in respect of the scope of operations given below: The design, manufacture and distribution of sterile, disposable chest drainage catheters and systems. Effective: July 06, 2018 Expires: July 05, 2021

    Updated: July 20, 2018

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    CE – Certificate of Registration of Quality Management System to I.S. EN ISO 13485:2016
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=702
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • MDSAP – Certificate of Registration of Quality Management System to ISO 13485:2016

    MDSAP - Certificate of Registration of Quality Management System to ISO 13485:2016. Australia, Brazil, Canada, USA ClearFlow, Inc. has been assessed and deemed to comply with the requirements of the above standard and regulations in respect of the scope of operations given below: The design, manufacture and distribution of sterile, disposable chest drainage catheters and systems. Effective:  July 06, 2018 Expires:  July 06, 2021

    Updated: July 20, 2018

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    MDSAP – Certificate of Registration of Quality Management System to ISO 13485:2016
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=700
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • CE Marking

    CE Marking - CE Quality System Approval Certificate from NSAI for the PleuraFlow System through May 2024.

    Updated: November 5, 2019

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    CE Marking
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=663
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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Instructions for Use

Clinical Support – Customer Files

Clinical Training Files
  • ICU Clinical Training Worksheet

    Updated: December 28, 2020

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    ICU Clinical Training Worksheet
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=744
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • OR Clinical Training Module

    Updated: December 28, 2020

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    OR Clinical Training Module
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources//wp-content/uploads/OR-Training-Module-with-Notes-TN111-A.pptx
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • ICU Clinical Training Module

    Updated: December 28, 2020

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    ICU Clinical Training Module
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources//wp-content/uploads/ICU-Training-Module-with-Notes-TN112-A.pptx
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
    ×
  • PleuraFlow POD Clinical Training Module

    The PleuraFlow POD chest drainage unit is a disposable, 2400mL triple chamber chest drainage system that includes a water seal, a dry suction regulator and collection chambers.

    Updated: November 5, 2019

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    PleuraFlow POD Clinical Training Module
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=728
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • The ZIP Clinical Training Module

    The ZIP is a removable magnetic shuttle that can be used to actuate the Clearance Wire and Loop within the PleuraFlow Chest Tube.

    Updated: December 28, 2020

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    The ZIP Clinical Training Module
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=727
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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ICU Poster, Actuation Schedule, Quick Reference Guide
  • Recommended Actuation Schedule

    Recommended Actuation Schedule PleuraFlow® System with Active Clearance Technology® (ACT™)

    Updated: January 13, 2017

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    Recommended Actuation Schedule
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=330
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Quick Reference Guide

    How to Operate the PleuraFlow® ACT™ System and Maintain Chest Tube Patency

    Updated: January 5, 2017

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    Quick Reference Guide
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=329
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • ICU Poster

    Maintaining Chest Tube Patency After Cardiac Surgery with the PleuraFlow® Active Clearance Technology® (ACT™) System

    Updated: December 5, 2016

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    ICU Poster
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=328
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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Technical Tips Video Series
Clinical Use Protocols
  • Clinical Use Protocol 003

    Protocol for Active Clearance of Anterior Mediastinal and Pleural Chest Tubes to Maintain Tube Patency After VAD Surgery

    Updated: September 2, 2015

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    Clinical Use Protocol 003
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=321
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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  • Clinical Use Protocol 001

    Protocol for Active Clearance of Anterior Mediastinal Chest Tubes to Maintain Tube Patency After Cardiac Surgery

    Updated: September 2, 2015

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    Clinical Use Protocol 001
    https://www.clearflow.com/resources/?upf=dl&id=322
    Username: ClearFlow | Password: ACT (case-sensitive)
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Product Complaints