[mcmike55]

I know this question has probably been run through the mill before, but I would like to post it once again.
There is a debate starting to gather steam at my hospital on testing the balloon on a foley before inserting it.
I'm a bit old school, and for the record, I DO test inflate the balloon.
I go as far as pulling off the syringe with the balloon up, usually not all the way, squeeze the balloon a tad, then re-attach the syringe bringing the balloon back down.
The opposition says blowing up the balloon stresses it needlessly, and could cause premature failure.
I've seen failures of all sorts with foley's in my 30 plus years in the biz, and unless someone can convince me with rock solid evidence....I'm not going to change my mind now!!
Kind of a medical Shakespere question: "To test the foley, or not to test,,that is the question".
Mike

[suzanne4]

I still test and will continue to test. If the balloon is not strong enough to withstand that test, then it has no busiess being put inside of any body cavity. At least in my opinion.

Such as, when is anesthesia ever going to stop testing a balloon on an ETT before inserting it?

[Kelly_the_Great]

I test and will continue to test...

[phluteloop]

I've always tested. Never heard otherwise.

[suzy253]

Yes, I always test the balloon 1st.

[Tweety]

I test. Allthough 100% of the time they test always indicates the ballon to be inflated. I can see not inflating it and then giving it a gentle tug to see if it falls out. I'm always open to new ideas.

I'm not understanding the rationale that blowing it up causes stress and premature failure? Inflating it one time causes pre-mature failure? I've never even seen one failure. I've seen foleys in for weeks at a time without failure. Interesting.

[Corvette Guy]

ALWAYS test the balloon, which takes only seconds. I have tested balloons that failed D/T manufacture defect.

[kat911]

I test by blowing up the balloon only and waiting a moment to be sure it holds. I would never touch the balloon just because I may unwittingly contaminate it. I have had ballooon failures but they were caught during testing of the balloon.

[Corvette Guy]

Originally Posted by kat911

I test by blowing up the balloon only and waiting a moment to be sure it holds. I would never touch the balloon just because I may unwittingly contaminate it. I have had ballooon failures but they were caught during testing of the balloon.

How can you contaminate the balloon if your wearing sterile gloves

[all4schwa]

i like the syringe attached anyway so it's ready...it only takes a second to test it, i can't see why anyone wouldn't?