Foley balloon, test or not to test

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Specializes in surgical, emergency.

I know this question has probably been run through the mill before, but I would like to post it once again.

There is a debate starting to gather steam at my hospital on testing the balloon on a foley before inserting it.

I'm a bit old school, and for the record, I DO test inflate the balloon. :chair:

I go as far as pulling off the syringe with the balloon up, usually not all the way, squeeze the balloon a tad, then re-attach the syringe bringing the balloon back down.

The opposition says blowing up the balloon stresses it needlessly, and could cause premature failure.

I've seen failures of all sorts with foley's in my 30 plus years in the biz, and unless someone can convince me with rock solid evidence....I'm not going to change my mind now!!

Kind of a medical Shakespere question: "To test the foley, or not to test,,that is the question". :chuckle

Mike

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I still test and will continue to test. If the balloon is not strong enough to withstand that test, then it has no busiess being put inside of any body cavity. At least in my opinion.

Such as, when is anesthesia ever going to stop testing a balloon on an ETT before inserting it?

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Specializes in home & public health, med-surg, hospice.

I test and will continue to test...:)

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I've always tested. Never heard otherwise.

:)

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Yes, I always test the balloon 1st.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I test. Allthough 100% of the time they test always indicates the ballon to be inflated. I can see not inflating it and then giving it a gentle tug to see if it falls out. I'm always open to new ideas.

I'm not understanding the rationale that blowing it up causes stress and premature failure? Inflating it one time causes pre-mature failure? I've never even seen one failure. I've seen foleys in for weeks at a time without failure. Interesting.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.

ALWAYS test the balloon, which takes only seconds. I have tested balloons that failed D/T manufacture defect.

:pumpiron:

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Specializes in ICU, ED, Transport, Home Care, Mgmnt.

I test by blowing up the balloon only and waiting a moment to be sure it holds. I would never touch the balloon just because I may unwittingly contaminate it. I have had ballooon failures but they were caught during testing of the balloon.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
I test by blowing up the balloon only and waiting a moment to be sure it holds. I would never touch the balloon just because I may unwittingly contaminate it. I have had ballooon failures but they were caught during testing of the balloon.

How can you contaminate the balloon if your wearing sterile gloves:confused:

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

i like the syringe attached anyway so it's ready...it only takes a second to test it, i can't see why anyone wouldn't?

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Specializes in surgical, emergency.

I'm not sure where this question originated. My supervisor emailed it to us, I think Bard was associated with it. Haven't checked with the company yet.

At first, testing does sound a bit like a sacred cow, but this is one cow, I'm staying with.

I've seen more than a couple balloons that would not deflate, or deflated prematurely due to a failure of the valve. I once, saw a foley that would not deflate. Put a syringe on it,,,,nothing, in despiration, the doc cut the valve off....still nothing, then, he cut the entire foley just below where the inflation tube meets the foley....still nothing,,,and worse yet the foley got sucked up INTO the bladder!!!!!

The pt ended up having a cysto, and we popped the balloon under direct visualization, and pulled it out with alligator forceps. WHOA!!

When I test a foley, I take the syringe clear off after putting some water in, that way I check the balloon and the valve. At least in my own mind.

I also give the balloon a little squeeze, but I leave the cath in that plastic wrap until the last second, that way I lessen the chance of contamination.

And I also, leave the syringe on after I pull the water back out, it's easier to inflate it when you "get the yellow".

I tell visiting students, and this is just me speaking, that I never inflate a balloon until I get at least a couple drops of urine. Just too much chance of making a false passage. I've had a doc say, you're there, it can't be anywhere else, I give them the syringe. Without urine, no balloon in my book.

mike

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I always check the balloon, i don't care if some people feel it's a sacred cow or not.

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