I Need A Tubex!!!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Medical/Surgical.

When I first started nursing (3years ago) the pharmacy at my hospital stocked Tubex injectors. Not the old metal kind, but a new light blue plastic one with a twist grip on it... for use with needleless tubex med syringes. If you use one, you know what I'm talking about. My pharmacy has stopped stocking them and gone to the Carpuject injectors, which I HATE! I stocked up on a few of them at first but I'm down to only one which I guard with my life. I'm so afraid its going to break or get lost and then what??? Carpuject... ugghh. Anyone know where I can get some of these doodads?? I can't find anywhere online that sells them through my search engine and I've checked my local scrub shops and medical supply places with no luck.....

I love my little Tubex!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I have tried it and found it awkward to use. I draw the med out into a traditional syringe. I wouldn't think you could buy one in a uniform shop, etc...Did you try to google it?

Maybe ask your nurse manager if she can order a few.

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you can also use the plunger from a insulin syringe..... Just pull it out of the insulin syringe, pop the carpujet and then you can push out the air and infuse into an IV line.... :)

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I never use them When you need them in an emergency, they can be hard to find. Much easier to draw the drug out of the tubex with a syringe and then give it. Syringes are always available and even the needleless systems with the blue arrow can go thru the rubber stopper on those.

You still need to obtain the injector before you can give the medicine so no time is really saved with these.

Almost everyone else that I work with does not use the holders at all either.

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Specializes in ER; HBOT- lots others.

if i wouldnt get in trouble for stealing hosp prop i would send you one!!! i love mine and guard it with my life also!! lol.. i hate carpuject- we had those @ a clinic i worked at as an MA, Horrid!

i would ask your manager or google it as others said- unless it is hospital policy that you cannot use them, i dont see why she couldnt order you a couple with a good reason on your part!

GL!

-H-RN

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Specializes in critical care, med/surg.

Man I so know what you mean! I had 4 of the Tubex's and when some fools stole my truck...they got all of em!

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Specializes in ED/trauma.
I know exactly what you're talking about. I have tried it and found it awkward to use. I draw the med out into a traditional syringe. I wouldn't think you could buy one in a uniform shop, etc...Did you try to google it?

Maybe ask your nurse manager if she can order a few.

Most of our nurses draw their meds up in syringes also. I think it's just easier, but...

I work with a nurse who prefers carpujects, and she said she gets hers directly from our pharmacy. Check with them?

Seems silly that you have to use them but they aren't available!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Actually, nothing is easier than the insulin syringe. No needles involved.

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we have some stashed at work, no one uses.Ill ask my don if I can have them for you,(if they are still there. sue

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I quite bothering to use them when they changed at my hospital too. I have no use for the carpuject system, the old tubex were much better. Ill just use a traditional syringe thank you.

If the pharmacy cant get them for you though, you might see if your nurse manager will go on a locker raid. Im sure we have several lockers full of them in our coat room.

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical.
I know exactly what you're talking about. I have tried it and found it awkward to use. I draw the med out into a traditional syringe. I wouldn't think you could buy one in a uniform shop, etc...Did you try to google it?

Maybe ask your nurse manager if she can order a few.

I googled it. I found other people who use them and whose hospital stocks them but no one who knows how to get them or order them. I love them. They eliminate waste (the extra blunt needle and syringe), allow you to keep the med in the original labeled container, allow for needleless med administration, keep the whole process ultra sterile, and eliminate extra steps which I find more time consuming. I'm orienting new nurses this month who are upset that our pharmacy doesnt carry the brand anymore... they love them too. There are nurses that I work with though, that love their Carpuject, and those that use your method. To each his own, I guess. But your idea of asking my manager to order them seems to be the next step for me.... thanks for the suggestion!!

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