Like EndoNurse, we use water (but sterile, because the tap water here can be hard and may cause mineral buildup in the scope)to flush/check the channels. We use an alcohol flush after cleaning to aid in drying. Because isopropol alcohol can cause de...
The direct answer to your question is: Our endoscopy unit requires critical care experience and ACLS certs. Although we work in the hospital, we are independent in that we don't have RTs around or EKG techs or an IV team, etc so we have to be able ...
Hmmm....we DON'T clean it--assuming it is going back into the same patient!! Our scope table is clean where we put the bander on (the scope was just lying there BEFORE we put it in the pts mouth). We use clean gloves and the bander is new and supp...
Staffing is an important factor here. You should be given breaks every 2 hours or so (there is a law about getting breaks, you know). Our unit has a charge nurse who acts as relief for breaks and lunches. And Yes, endoscopy suites are danged busy p...
Guys, I think you should check with your ped Doc. These are abnormal bowel movements and should be discussed with the PCP--not in an online message board. We all know possible causes of stool changes, but we don't know the little patients. It is ...
I agree that propofol can cause hypotension, respiratory depression and loss of protective reflexes--as does demerol, fentanyl and versed given in quantities that some GI docs request for 'sedation'. We get unexpected responses from our 'sedation' ...
It can be exhausting with people with difficult turns or Drs with less skill, FOR SURE! My boss and I even thought up a compression device, but it seems someone else patented our idea in 1997, but didn't do anything with it!! dang! I wonder if anyo...
We have 2.5 rooms (.5 is so small we only use it in a pinch!) and do 12-16 egd/colon per day except Tuesday morning when we are closed and only do 6-8 procedures in the PM. We only do 2-3 ERCPs a week and sometimes none. But there are lots of GI docs...
What is the theory behind putting in a rectal tube? That the pt can't pass the air naturally? How do you decide who gets one? I am incredulous that a healthy person would need (let alone tolerate) a rectal tube for a routine colonoscopy. Do you t...
I have to agree with the comments of MLL, If the GI doc routinely needs to have the nurse advance the scope, then they need some remedial training!! I would definitely check with my state nursing board about doing that. That just seems unsafe. It ...
Propofol (Diprivan) is an IV sedative-hypnotic. It is rapid acting and rapid clearing. Currently used almost exclusively by CRNAs and Anesthesiologists. Use is begining to expand to specially trained and supervised RNs. Illegal? Are you referring ...
Wow! Rectal Tubes????? That seems extreme!! I have had 3 colonoscopies by 2 different GI doctors and suites and I have never been placed in any position but supine. Who takes the rectal tube out? and when? Does the pt wake up with the tube still...