tube feeding dye?

[shannonRN]

just recently this topic came up during a chat.... i see dye in tube feedings once in a blue moon at my hospital. do you guys use dye? does anyone know of a nursing article on this subject? i checked out my hospital's policy and procedures but couldn't find anything on this topic. i think it would be interesting to take it to our nursing research and get some sort of policy initiated.

[zambezi, BSN, RN]

Dye also went by the wayside about one year ago in my facility. We can use it if we "have" to--pt has a high risk of aspiration, we think they are aspirating, etc...but I haven't seen it used at all since it was taken away on recommendation of the intensivists.

[Vsummer1]

I was surprised to see this old thread again! Now that I am actually working with tube fed patients on a regular basis, I can say I have NEVER seen dye used at my facility.

[Little One2]

I have never worked with dyes in feeding tubes. Probably a good idea if the patient is at risk for aspirating.

[JVanRN]

I've only used it when specifically ordered to check for aspiration (blue or green) but never just routinely

[stbernardclub]

I have only seen it used when pt is at high risk for aspiration with tube feedings.

[jmc]

When I worked the floor we used blue food coloring all the time to assess for aspiration, but since that policy has been removed due to complained harm to patient. I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA.

[nursemaa]

We have also eliminated the use of dye due to the previously posted report of potential danger to patients.