A body cavity drainage device placement tool for placing a body cavity drainage tube at least partially within a body cavity of a patient. The body cavity drainage device includes a shaft, a handle attached to or integral with a proximal end of the shaft, and a distal end of the shaft sized and configured for insertion through a lateral opening of the body cavity drainage tube and at least partially through a central lumen of the body cavity drainage tube to proximate a distal end of the body cavity drainage tube. Methods relate to using a body cavity drainage device placement tool.