[TexasRN31]

KO has overdosed. What is the best way to position her for gastric lavage? Give your rationale.

I'd say HOB elevated 45 degrees to facilitate NGT placement and prevent aspiration. But apparently, it's place pt on L lateral decubitus (???) with 15 degrees of Trendelenburg (not sure why).

[kids]

To delay gastric emptying?

[CMERN]

ok... more input you all ...as I was taught and still do the HOB 45 degrees chin to chest..for placement. The L side lying 15 degree trendelenberg sounds good for during procedure to delay gastric emptying... I wanna hear more as "its that time of the season"..and I will be doing even more GL's than I do otherwise...
sincerely interested..

[Coldfoot]

I’ve done both and personally prefer the HOB in semi-Fowlers. One of the ER Doc’s I worked with would order the L Lat saying it decreases the chance of aspiration.

[ernurse728]

Why would you lay someone on their side for NGT placement. I am with CMERN. Hob elevated, chin to the chest and swallow, swallow, swallow!

[pointhope]

Actually the most current info from the ENA is no gastric lavage. They state that the risks outweigh the benifits. Our large innercity ER no longer lavages based on this and American Medical Assn recommendations which are similar.

[Indiana ED RN]

Originally posted by pointhope
Actually the most current info from the ENA is no gastric lavage. They state that the risks outweigh the benifits. Our large innercity ER no longer lavages based on this and American Medical Assn recommendations which are similar.

We don't do it as often as we used to....I have heard what pointhope has written before also.

Here is an article that covers alot of it....

http://www.enw.org/Research-GastricLavage.htm

[tony summers]

If we needed to lavage a unconscious patient we'd get the anesthetist down have them tubed and then it doesnot matter which position you have them.

Anesthetists not always happy with this but accept if it needs to be done, they do it they just need to stamp about a little first.

[veetach]

we dont lavage anymore either. Charcoal via NG, yes. Lavage, no.