What' s in your Pt's Go-Bag?

Specialties Private Duty

Published

I'm just curious.

Some people have suction caths,diapers,chux,extra meds,extra change of clothes,extra formula,extra gtubes in addtion to the extra trach(one sixe larger,one the same size,and one smaller) and the ambubag.

In our go bags its usually just the trachs,Ambubag,trach ties,obturators,saline,and sterile h2o.

When we go out we bring the go bag plus a bigger bag with all the extra goodies.

But I don't consider that a go bag.

When your pt goes to the ER do you include clothes,meds,extra gtubes,and portable suction machines with you(assuming you are able to go to the ER).

It never occured to me to give meds while the pt is waiting in the ER to get admitted.

I don't give the pt their scheduled meds because I'm thinking maybe they might want to run tests in the ER.

Specializes in Pedi.
OP - did you really mean a size LARGER trach? How would you obtain that? And why?

I had the same thought. I can't think of any scenario where you'd need a LARGER trach.

just a guess

since EDs may not have the particular size and type

needed in stock maybe the rationale was to have a larger size

in case the Dr. wanted to change it

so it wouldn't be for PDNs to insert???

I don't know the rationale,but I know they have since stopped requiring the larger size trach tube.

I do know several kiddos who use Bivona trachs,but their back up trachs are Shiley trachs(both the same size and downsized trach)

My son had Bivona. They are both so different from each other that I can't imagine how one is a back-up for the other.

What years was the larger trach routinely given to as a back-up? I wish to research this.

Specializes in pediatric.

NOC nursing is responsible for stocking the go bag where I work, but I know that it contains: two Shiley trachs (one same, one smaller), trach ties, tape, GT replacement kit, H2O, diapers, change of clothes, vent tube, formula, PRN meds, suction machine, extra catheters (10fr, 12fr), NS ampules, and a copy of the POC.

I really sont know the rationale for the larger size trach. When I first started back in 2005 that's what I was told to have on hand in the go bag.I was also told at the time back up vents didn't need to be charged 24/7 because you could "burn out the battery". If the battery was charged up,you could unplug it until it needed to be fully charged again.As far as using Shiley trachs as back up for Bivona trachs,I was told it doesn't matter because as long as its the same size and diameter,you still are maintaining a patent and intact airway. Also,some insurance companies have stopped paying for back up Bivona trachs because they are very expensive.

What do you all mean you don't check it? What if something were missing/borrowed and wasn't returned?[/quote']

My patient is not a complicated case. I am sure it would be much different if he had a trach and was vented, but as it stands, he doesn't require a fully stocked medical bag as described here.

Here was ours which was our go-bag/diaper bag

Outermost compartment had a plastic bag with:

Trach tube, usual size

Trach tube, downsize

Scissors

2 precut trach ties

2 packs lube

1 chux pad (in case you have to do this on the floor)

Saline flushes with saline for filling balloon

An empty 10mL syringe for deflating syringe

Suction catheter

4x4s

1 clean obturator

Other outermost pocket:

Insulated container for cold medications

Insulated container for room temp medications

Inside (very organized in pouches and sections)

Wipes

3 diapers

change of clothes

3 chux pads

Syringes (60, 20, 10, 5, 3, 1ml)

1 can of formula

1 bottle of water

Mickey extension set

G-tube kit

Chux pad

Lube

4x4s

Scissors

First aid kit

Bulb syringe

Manual suction pump

Neosporin

10x30 sterile pad

4x4 sterile

tape

Vent circuit

Pulse ox sensor

Lip balm

Eye drops

Minty or lemony mouth swabs

Lotion

(for me)

sanitary pads

lip balm

$40 in small bills

1 roll of quarters

toothbrush and toothpaste

nailclippers

tissues

notepad and pen

HMEs

Swivel

Omni-flex

Trach care stuff (pre-cut tie, saline bullets, 2x2 drain sponges, 4x4s, lube, cotton swabs)

Oxygen tubing

Suction catheters (Yankauer, trach, neotech)

Ambubag

Occlusive dressings

Mask

500ml sterile water

Gloves

2 large plastic ziploc bags

This is how ALL go bags should be stocked. You need to check these bags q shift and you need to make sure you bring extra trach supplies, extra feeding supplies, extra cath supplies and extra gbuttons/tubes. You just never know what the ER has in stock. I cannot fathom not checking this. Emergencies happen when you least expect them.

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