omg...fish oil!

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

So we have been treating our anoxic brain injury patients with high doses of Omega 3's- the back story is that we had a patient whose mother found research that it helps with long term recovery. She advocated for the treatment for her son (he was in bad shape- Unknown downtime, central storming, totally unresponsive). So a year later while he definitely wasn't normal he was starting to walk and say some things. So now we are using this stuff on all of our young patients with hypoxic injuries.

What's the problem? Liquid fish oil.smells.awful. I'm dying right now, it is literally stinking up the whole unit. We have it double bagged in the fridge and I am going to buy baking soda to put in our fridge (I'm sure that is against a JC regulation somewhere). I am calling on you my nursey friends to help me trouble shoot! Any creative solutions? I guess I could just always use Vicks in my nose for the next 2 months- my estimate for an average stay for these folks :'(

[NurseCard, ADN]

Get some fragrant oils and some plastic med cups, dip cotton in the oils, and leave

this all over the unit. One unit I worked on used Peppermint Oil, though I hate the

smell of it, would rather smell poop. There are other oils to use. And yes, you could

use the Vicks under your nose. :)

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

We did just break out the essential oils. So now it smells like a minty fish. Or a fishy mint. I'm not quite sure but it is preferable. We also tried getting a hold of activated charcoal but the pharmacy told us they don't carry it (?!?) and ED told us that pharmacy is lying. LOL. Ill be sure to keep y'all updated on this evolving situation

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Triple bag?

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Could you put it into a plastic container like a clear Tupperware? That might help control the smell better than bags and if it is clear is should be legal.

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

This is how I imagine handling this stuff in the near future:

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Is this where physicians throw proven medicine down the drain because some mom became an Internet doc and her kid recovered? And let's throw the actual proven medical treatments that may have aided in his recovery out the window???

SMH, that physicians don't just realize there is not always an explanation. Now, let's just throw fish oil at everyone????? Oh my.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Fish oil capsules?

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

A little bit yes. There is only one case study that I know of, but it isn't an unheard of recommendation. The idea is that Omega3's are essential for neuro growth and recovery, so lets give huge doses to saturate this person in fish oil. But there have been no clinical trials so therefore no way to say that the improvements we see are related to the omega 3's. But since there is low-to-no risk our doctors just do it in young patients with uncomplicated hospital courses- meaning the only thing wrong with them is their brain.

Therapeutic use of omega-3 fatty acids in severe head trauma

Many nurses make themselves DNR. One nurse I know declares herself a DNRT (do not rectal trumpet).. me? I am a DNGFO. Do Not Give Fish Oil. Any neurorecovery that I have seen is not what I would call meaningful...

[Swellz]

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I feel your pain with the fish oil odor. I went to visit my mother in law a few years back and my husband and I were wondering what the heck smelled like nasty fish. Turns out Dr. Oz had gotten to her. She had heard "it was good for her skin". Well, she had been putting it all over her face each morning. We kindly suggested to switch to ingesting the capsules, not wearing them. The smell was horrible.

As far as the odor, I agree that Vicks equals minty fish. Sometimes it's better off without it. Same thing goes for trying to mask the smell of c-diff.

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

I totally can embrace C-diff for what it is. Truly most smells don't bother me, my nose is actually a little broken! Good call on your MIL- I can't imagine willingly spreading this stuff on my face of all things! Unfortunately capsules are not an option unless you can think of a way to squeeze one down the dobhoff. I have a few days of so I at least get a break. I'm not sure what families think of this treatment. It permeates their skin, and don't get me started on the poop! Opening the med room door actually helps too, at least there is some ventilation going on!