who should do the ambubagging during xray and ctscan procedures?

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN · Mar 22, 2011

Uhh no one should be, They should have a vent down there so you can hook the patient up to it so that no one is exposed. That is simply dangerous.

usalsfyre · Mar 22, 2011

First, it should be a transport ventilator. Ambu bags don't deliver consistent or comfortable ventilations and may cause a patient to deteriorate.

Secondly, if you wear lead, I wouldn't be particularly concerned about chest xrays. The amount of radiation received from the scatter off of a normal chest xray in minuscule anyway, if you wear lead that risk is pretty well negated. A CT is an entirely different kettle of fish, and depending on the study, can involve large amounts of radiation. However, my concern would be the potential for displacing the ETT considering the patient is on a moving table.

Lastly, who do YOU think should be doing the bagging? I'd reccomend getting with your diagnostic imaging department and getting a class on radiation safety for the nurses who might frequently be exposed.

sunnycalifRN · Mar 22, 2011

Uhh no one should be, They should have a vent down there so you can hook the patient up to it so that no one is exposed. That is simply dangerous.

I agree completely. We use an LTV vent for transport and during scan and/or procedure

usalsfyre · Mar 22, 2011

Uhh no one should be, They should have a vent down there so you can hook the patient up to it so that no one is exposed. That is simply dangerous.

Not true, cath lab, specials and fluro and nuclear medicine techs are all work around MUCH higher levels of radiation all day long. It's about knowing how to do so safely. They need a vent, but for different reasons than "radiation is dangerous".

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 22, 2011

My last hospital didn't have a vent in procedure rooms and someone always had to bag. That someone was whomever had time. No biggie.

sevensonnets · Mar 22, 2011

We use the LTV vent also but the ICU nurse is required to stay within sight of the patient during the procedure.

LegzRN · Mar 22, 2011

RT bags ours during rad

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2011

Whoever is qualified and not pregnant. But for a portable CXR at the bedside why are you bagging?

RN1980 · Mar 22, 2011

whoever is available or in reach of the airway will bag. just wear your lead vest and not preg.

GreyGull · Mar 22, 2011

Absolutely NO ONE should be bagging through a CT Scan, IR procedure or any extended exposure in the year 2011. Portable ventilators are affordable and easily transported. There should be a ventilator and a qualified person accompanying the patient and ventilator through the procedure.

There are 4 good reasons to use a ventilator that I can think of right now without really thinking hard.

1. Better control of infectious diseases through filters on the ventilator and distance placed between you and the patient.

2. Radiation exposure safety issues. Some work in busy centers and are also exposed in Nuclear Med and the cath lab as well as all the AM X-rays.

3. Less chance of inadverent tube dislodging. **

4. Reduce fluctuations in arterial blood gases. This has been well studied. **

**The patient's safety also has to be of concern.

For a quick X-ray, whoever is qualified to use the bag and has their hands free...and not pregnant. However, again, I stress there should be a ventilator available even in the ED. If a patient happens to code in radiology, we may get an X-ray before we leave and are not near a ventilator. However, even then that is rare and someone will get the portable ventilator to transport the patient to either the ED or ICU.

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Mar 22, 2011

Well it sure would be nice to have had a portable vent, but that hospital could hardly be pressed to pay for patient food and basic supplies. They had 2 vents and both are at least 20 years old. I think the next ice age will come before they spring for a portable vent.