Bite sticks???

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I've been a nurse for 15 years, but became an RN only 6 month ago. I now work in an urgent care unit of a medical center operated by a local HMO. I've only worked there for 3 months. I was recently stocking rooms and I noticed sterilized bags with bite sticks for seizures. All literature I can find indicates that bite sticks should not be used for seizures. Should I address this with the head nurse or the compliance officer?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

My guess is they are using them for something else. A lot of times things get left on carts that dont get used for their intended purpose but because they have stock they use them for other things.

Ask what they actually use them for. But im pretty sure its not for what they actually were labeled for.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Nursing Education, LTC, and HHC.

I agree with above poster. Find out why they have them. If they are used for seizures, it is obviously a bad plan. Persons have been known to bite so hard in a full fletched seizure to break their jaw or break their teeth out, and risking swallowing them as well.

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Yes, please don't put a stick in my mouth if I ever have another seizure. :)

Actually, we have found lots of things in cupboards and filing cabinets that we don't use anymore. Obsolete forms, tele monitors that don't go with the current monitor system, IV tubing from old IV pumps, etc.

Of course our hospital has been around since the 1950's.

steph

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Specializes in surgical, emergency.

Isn't it great what you find when you clean out cupboards??

I've found some great old stuff that I didn't know existed, or forgot about.

Bite sticks, I though went out with LP records and what.....button hooks I guess.

I agree with the others, once a full grand mal is in progress, a bite stick is worthless!!! And if you happen to be present, just before a seizure starts, you have other issues, namely protecting the pt, get them on the ground, etc.

My daughter has seizures, scarey stuff I tell you, especially when it's one of your own.

My best suggestion is protect them, DO NOT restrain them, and hang in there.

Most episodes only last a couple of minutes, most of the time they will have an air exchange.

Save a bite stick for the archives, and trash the rest!

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