Nurses Helping Nurses
allnurses Network: Central | Jobs | Books | Newsletter
allnurses: A Nursing Community for Nurses
Home General News Blogs Articles Students Region Specialty Degrees F.A.Q.
Log In | Register | Last 24 Hours
Hawaii Nurses /

CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?



Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 388,151 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >

Aug 29, 2009 05:45 AM

CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?


I'm just curious whether the CNA's where you work are allowed to administer tube feedings, or if it is only done by the nurses. At my LTC/SNF, an advanced CNA is allowed to hang the tube feeding for the residents.

One CNA--who primarily does treatments like non-sterile dressing changes, ointments, etc.--is responsible for giving all the tube feedings in the facility. I'd like to know whether other facilities have a similar policy.
All feedback would be appreciated!

Share
Search Tags
cna, ltc, tube feeding
Top

 
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
 
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Reply
12 Comments
No. 1
from Riagomez06
Old Sep 16, 2009, 02:20 AM

Default Re: CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?
i work as a cna at a childrens hospital, and we are definately not allowed to do any feedings via tube. just the RNs... we can bottle feed them but thats about it..
Top
 
No. 2
from Woodenpug
Old Sep 16, 2009, 02:59 AM

Default Re: CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?
I had believed that tube feedings were among the things which could not be delegated. I guess, like everything else, it varies state to state. Given all the things that can happen, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable delegating tube feedings, even if it were legal.
Top
 
No. 3
from Nurse!Nurse!Hello?
Old Sep 22, 2009, 06:54 AM

Default Re: CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?
Originally Posted by Woodenpug View Post
I had believed that tube feedings were among the things which could not be delegated. I guess, like everything else, it varies state to state. Given all the things that can happen, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable delegating tube feedings, even if it were legal.
Yeah, I was surprised, too, but apparently it's not uncommon in Hawaii....
Top
 
No. 4
from snuffyRN
Old Sep 22, 2009, 07:29 AM

Default Re: CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?
UHM, no cna's can't even touch the machine to silence the alarm at my facility complete hands off for cna's. Before this new policy too many times cna's would shut off the machine when transfering, bathing or alarming and not restart the machine or report it the their nurse!
Top
 
No. 5
from Elizabeth K.
Old Sep 26, 2009, 05:42 AM

Default Re: CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?
Not sure about facility policies but I'm taking a CNA II course (Patient Care Technician) and will be learning to do internal tube feedings (continuous and intermittent). I'm assuming that, if hired as a PCT/Advanced CNA somewhere, it's something I might be expected to do.
Top
 
No. 6
from RNsRWe
Old Sep 26, 2009, 05:47 AM

Default Re: CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?
No. Nurses only. Aides can feed a patient by mouth, but not in any other way.
Top
 
No. 7
from BlueH20
Old Oct 07, 2009, 03:29 PM

Default Re: CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?
I am temporarily living in CA while in RN school. We are doing our clinicals at a large and well known hospital which is also a level 3 trauma center. I was wondering this same question yesterday. A CNA had seen me walk by and asked me to come into a room and help her change the diaper on an 82 year old patient. I agreed as we are allowed to help them if we have extra time.

I saw the CNA press the “hold” button on the patient’s tube feeding (NG tube feeding). She then lowered the head of the bed to a flat position. Once the diaper was changed she asked me to hand her oral care tools. I handed her the tools and walked out while she started to give oral care. I came back about 15 minutes later with another nursing student to do an Accucheck on the patient. The poor patient was lying there with the head of the bed completely flat and the tube feeding running!! The CNA never elevated the HOB back to a 30 degree angle before hitting “run”. The 82 year old patient was aspirating something awful! We quickly assessed her lung sounds and heard crackles. I RAN and got the RN and told her of what the CNA did. She ran back to the room with me and she said we potentially saved the patient’s life. She was so grateful.

Moral of the story: Being that CNA's are not trained in tube feedings, they should not be touching the equipment. I don't know what this hospitals policy is, but the CNA almost killed the patient doing this. We had to meet for post conference immediately after this happened, so I don't even know what the repercussions were or if the patient is even ok. I go back to the hospital next Monday and will try and find out more info.
Top
 
No. 8
from Bronx_RN
Old Oct 07, 2009, 04:06 PM

Default Re: CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?
The facility that I did my clinical rotation at allowed CNAs with additional training to do simple wound care and hang tube feedings. The place where I currently work does not. It really annoys me when CNAs give care and leave the bed flat when they're done. I came in for a 7-3pm shift and found a trach patient lying flat with the feed running. It was almost as if she was waiting for me to enter the room because as soon as I crossed the threshold she immediately began to aspirate.
Top
 
No. 9
from BlueH20
Old Oct 07, 2009, 08:41 PM

Default Re: CNA's and Tube Feeding: What's Your Facility's Policy?
How sad! The poor patient. Good thing you came in when you did. I agree, it is frustrating. I feel the CNA's should not go outside of their scope of practice. They are highly valued in what they do, but should not try to do more.
Top
 
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Reply




Thread Tools


Who's Online
237 members
2,261 guests
2,498

Nursing News

6

California Imposes Stricter Rules Regarding Drug Abuse In...
23

Are older nurses being forced out of the profession?
3

An outlook in California?
8

Australian surgeons successfully separate conjoined twins
42

Disruptive behavior by doctors, nurses persists a year...
31

Woman sues after police tackle her in ER during premature...
5

Beyond The Last Lecture -For Randy & Jai Pausch nurses...
18

WHO: Give at-risk groups anti-flu drugs early
21

Nursing, medical schools should work together, experts say
6

Army nurse honored after 100th birthday


Nursing Articles

1

Society Needs Care Too
12

Why am I doing this, anyway?
2

Nurse Heal Thyself
9

My Papa, why I am the nurse I am today.
17

I made it through
11

An angel's gaze
14

A Sister Never Forgets
16

Ruby's Marbles
37

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?
14

My Little Old Jedi
20

I love this job......
23

"I hear voices"
19

Preventing FRUTI (Foley Related Urinary Tract Infection) in...
24

Error and Attitude
10

It's Just a Shower


Does allnurses.com make you a better nurse?


Sponsored Links

Currently Reading This Page: 1 (0 members & 1 guests)

Interested in the hottest topics of the week? Subscribe to the Nurse-zine Newsletter.
Enter email address:

Available Topics (tags)


Search By Tag:

New To Site
Need Help
Quick Links

Copyright © 1996-2009, allnurses.com. All rights reserved.  allnurses.com, Inc.
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:48 AM.