So, I'm curious. (I'm not really sure where to post this!)
In class we are taught to check placement by residual pH.
The hospitals in our area still have policies saying to inject air and listen. Despite that there is evidenced based practice saying it's not an effective way to check placement. Other hospitals in the state have realized that and changed policies EIGHT years ago.
So my question is, is this really just my area that still does it that way?
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Hummm...I went to school a LONG time ago and for G-tubes were always tested by pH. I have seen the air technique used in many facilities. There are at times a disconnect with "evidence based practice" and facilities. I know an LTACH the refused to supply litmus paper. I carried my own.
I am just finishing up an evidence-based practice class at work, and one of the shocking things I learned was that it typically take seventeen YEARS for evidence to make it from research to practice. Yikes!
Our school practices pushing air and checking pH. We did get the disclaimer, though, that evidence based practice shows pH is the more reliable test. They only taught us the swoosh (as they call it) because our local hospitals still have that method as policy. I've never seen that skill done in clinical, unfortunately, so I don't know how the RNs do it in practice.
yup, as I said, it was NEVER the "right" way, so how did it get into so many P+Ps????
Hummm...I went to school a LONG time ago and for G-tubes were always tested by pH. I have seen the air technique used in many facilities. There are at times a disconnect with "evidence based practice" and facilities. I know an LTACH the refused to supply litmus paper. I carried my own.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I agree.....I have NO idea..... where I have worked acute care they have historically said air/xray for NGT (blind placement) and litmus for PEG.
It was when I moved to the east coast I saw a difference with the air. Maybe it is the sacred cow form way back in the day which is quite even before my time.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I am just finishing up an evidence-based practice class at work, and one of the shocking things I learned was that it typically take seventeen YEARS for evidence to make it from research to practice. Yikes!
SEVENTEEN YEARS???? wow. I updated my policies before every survey to EBP.
You mean all these years I have busted my behind for nothing? (just kidding)
I don't know, I went to school in Woostah,Ma. LOL.......
I agree.....I have NO idea..... where I have worked acute care they have historically said air/xray for NGT (blind placement) and litmus for PEG.
It was when I moved to the east coast I saw a difference with the air. Maybe it is the sacred cow form way back in the day which is quite even before my time.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I don't know, I went to school in Woostah,Ma. LOL.......
NO way! You did? TOO FUNNY!!!! I went to Purdue. All the hospitals I have worked offer both as GT verifications...except for peds...inside 128 that is. The LTACH was Kindred Peabody...but they are another thread.
NO way! You did? TOO FUNNY!!!! I went to Purdue. All the hospitals I have worked offer both as GT verifications...except for peds...inside 128 that is. The LTACH was Kindred Peabody...but they are another thread.
BOILER UP!!! Purdue- Calumet (in da' Region) Class of 1980!!! Small world.
. where I have worked acute care they have historically said air/xray for NGT (blind placement) and litmus for PEG.
I updated my policies before every survey to EBP. 
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
20,908 Posts
Hummm...I went to school a LONG time ago and for G-tubes were always tested by pH. I have seen the air technique used in many facilities. There are at times a disconnect with "evidence based practice" and facilities. I know an LTACH the refused to supply litmus paper. I carried my own.