Green O2 Christmas trees

[SandraCVRN]

Does anyone know of an oxygen cannula that already has an adapter attached. We have recently been told the green Christmas tree has to be changed after every patient. In 14 years this is the first I've heard of this. I've worked at 3 different hospitals in that time. I'm not sure if this is something new since now all of a sudden they are on back order. Any ideas?

[AJJKRN]

It would make sense seeing as how I've never seen them cleaned :-)

There was a type of tubing that had an end on it that screwed directly into the wall O2 appliance. I think the tubing was really soft and pliable on the face/ear parts to help reduce pressure ulcers but I don't know off the top of my head what brand/kind....any RTs out there?

[offlabel]

It would make sense seeing as how I've never seen them cleaned :-)

There was a type of tubing that had an end on it that screwed directly into the wall O2 appliance. I think the tubing was really soft and pliable on the face/ear parts to help reduce pressure ulcers but I don't know off the top of my head what brand/kind....any RTs out there?

Never seen the nipples on tank regulators cleaned either, but they can be... probably are. Anesthesia machine auxiliary O2 outlets too. A Sani Wipe is a lot less hassle that throwing away one more thing.

[MunoRN, RN]

I'm not sure what the rationale for replacing it would be. It's not really possible for patient secretions, nosejuice, etc to make it all the way back up to the tree, and if it's true that the tree must be replaced then the entire oxygen system must be replaced; the regulator, the in-wall oxygen plumbing, the central source, etc.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Yep, this just came up as a finding with TJC. Because the manufacturer deems them "single use only" they MUST be changed between patients. The alternative is to get metal ones that are designed to be wiped down between patients. That's what our facility is doing.

[klone, MSN, RN]

if it's true that the tree must be replaced then the entire oxygen system must be replaced; the regulator, the in-wall oxygen plumbing, the central source, etc.

No, the reason is simply because the manufacturer of the Christmas trees have labeled them as single use.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

in other words, a money grab

No, the reason is simply because the manufacturer of the Christmas trees have labeled them as single use.

[SandraCVRN]

I'm not sure what the rationale for replacing it would be. It's not really possible for patient secretions, nosejuice, etc to make it all the way back up to the tree, and if it's true that the tree must be replaced then the entire oxygen system must be replaced; the regulator, the in-wall oxygen plumbing, the central source, etc.

Our thinking too. Just one more hoop to jump thru. Ugggí ½í¸·

[klone, MSN, RN]

in other words, a money grab

.yes.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

It's called quick connect oxygen supply tubing

[morte, LPN, LVN]

Thanks, probably more expensive than the repeated replacement of the xmass trees...?made by same company?

It's called quick connect oxygen supply tubing

[abeddo, BSN]

Do you know where your facility is ordering these metal trees from? Or the brand?

Thanks in advance!