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.
MICU and SICU Nursing Forum /

sterile or tap water for meds?



Did You Know?
allnurses is the largest community for nurses on the web. We now have over 385,835 members! Join today to network with other nurses, laugh, share, and much more.
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >

Jun 16, 2009 12:58 AM

sterile or tap water for meds?


When giving meds through a NG tube, peg tube, DHT, whatever....do you use sterile water or tap water?
I have always used tap water until I started a new job where they use sterile water. This is strange to me. I was told tap water has contaminants that aren't good for our already at risk patients. Is this true?

I drink tap water. Do hospitals have a special kind of tap water that isn't drinkable?? I've never known anyone to drink sterile water, I can't remember why it's bad for you, but it is right?

Thanks


Share: Submit Thread to Facebook Submit Thread to Twitter Submit Thread to Technorati Submit Thread to Google Submit Thread to Reddit

Search Tags
None
Top

 
Advertisement
Sponsored Links
 
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Reply
14 Comments
No. 1
from dcredo
Old Jun 16, 2009, 11:27 AM

Default Re: sterile or tap water for meds?
Interesting...I have never thought of the stomach as a sterile area, so it is confusing that they would use sterile water to flush.. But to answer your question in the ICU where I work all of us crush our meds and use warm TAP water (to help dissolve the meds) ...hope this helps
Top
 
No. 2
from pH7.40
Old Jun 17, 2009, 08:20 AM

Default Re: sterile or tap water for meds?
Our nations tap water is regularly screened for the acceptable limits of toxins and bacteria. Tap water should be acceptable. The bottom line for you as a bedside nurse is to check your facilities policy and procedures and follow what your facility has decided.

I would like you to ask the advocates of "sterile water" why is the water that is unacceptable for patients to drink, ie tap water, considered acceptable for the hospital staff nurses doctors and visitors to drink at water fountains and cafeteria.

We need those flora and fauna to populate our gut!
Top

1 Reader Gave Kudos
 
No. 3
Old Jun 17, 2009, 12:28 PM

Default Re: sterile or tap water for meds?
I would bet that this practice is one of those "sacred cows" that people don't like to kill. Unless there is some reason that people are not drinking the water in your area, there is no reason that sterile water should be used.
Top
 
No. 4
Old Jun 18, 2009, 12:20 AM

Default Re: sterile or tap water for meds?
I dont see why sterile water is preferred over tap, but in our facility this is how it goes..
when giving meds through tube, we can dissolve them in the warm water that comes from the coffee maker (you know, the little part where you can hit the button and get hot water out). After giving the meds in this water, we flush with the sterile water...i know..it makes no sense..if i can give the meds with that water, why cant i flush with it???
Top
 
No. 5
from criticalHP
Old Jun 20, 2009, 06:20 AM

Default Re: sterile or tap water for meds?
Strange...tap water should be sufficient. The gut is not sterile.
Top
 
No. 6
from BabyLady
Old Jun 20, 2009, 06:27 AM

Default Re: sterile or tap water for meds?
Originally Posted by neurorachel View Post
When giving meds through a NG tube, peg tube, DHT, whatever....do you use sterile water or tap water?
I have always used tap water until I started a new job where they use sterile water. This is strange to me. I was told tap water has contaminants that aren't good for our already at risk patients. Is this true?

I drink tap water. Do hospitals have a special kind of tap water that isn't drinkable?? I've never known anyone to drink sterile water, I can't remember why it's bad for you, but it is right?

Thanks
If the hospital water isn't drinkable....then all the ice and all of the food preparations are in big trouble.
Top
 
No. 7
from caliotter3
Old Jun 20, 2009, 08:42 AM

Default Re: sterile or tap water for meds?
I've always used tap water, after all most of us drink it. If sterile water is provided for me, then I use what is provided.
Top
 
No. 8
from AdobeRN
Old Jun 20, 2009, 08:48 AM

Default Re: sterile or tap water for meds?
I work in pedi, if I have a patient that has a tube I ask the parents prefrence...tap water or bottled water. The only time I use sterile water is if the bottled water is not available when I need it.
Top
 
No. 9
from GooeyRN
Old Jun 20, 2009, 09:03 AM

Default Re: sterile or tap water for meds?
I have always used tap water.
Top
 
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Reply




Thread Tools


Who's Online
302 members
2,861 guests
3,163

8

Doctors-in-short-supply-responsibilities-for-nurses-may-expa...

7

Less regular sleep for ICU nurses may lead to errors

14

Nurse sends unused medical supplies to needy nations

23

Premature Births Are Fueling Higher Rates of Infant...

6

MRSA Strain Linked to High Death Rates

22

RI hospital fined $150,000 in 5th wrong-site surgery since...

64

Nursing: One of the 6 Thriving Jobs that are Here to Stay???

89

Dad Fights Hospital to Keep Baby on Life Support

12

A nurse can dream...about awesome nursing

16

California Nursing Situation - CINHC's plan to help New...



7

Why am I doing this, anyway?

0

Nurse Heal Thyself

7

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

15

I made it through

11

An angel's gaze

13

A Sister Never Forgets

16

Ruby's Marbles

29

What Do Operating Room Nurses Do?

14

My Little Old Jedi

16

I love this job......

23

"I hear voices"

17

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

23

Error and Attitude

10

It's Just a Shower

6

Searching for the Purpose





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: