npo after cetacaine spray?

[brownbook]

I've worked two different GI clinics. First one the doctor routinely sprayed 1 - 2 times with cetacaine prior to EGD's and we had no unusual precautions nor unusual incidents afterwords.

Second clinic we have been told to keep the patients NPO one hour after cetacaine spray because their throat is numb and they may have trouble swallowing?

What do other clinics do?

[RAYLO!]

we do the first choice unless just way too drowsy

[brownbook]

I understand your reply. Yeah, if the patient is drowsy from sedation. The second clinic, like I said, thinks the throat is too numb, the patient won't have a gag reflex? Makes no sense to me? I know cetacaine numbs it a little, I've tried cetacaine when I have had a sore throat, didn't even do much for that!

[shoecrazynurse]

Ohe hour!..... That's excessive!

we do what your first clinic does, that's what makes sense! There's times I've even given them juice right when I get them in post op cuz i forget... or they REALLY want something and they are fine.

So i have a question for you.... How long do you recover your patients for? Most of our patients are always gone and hour after the porocedure is over.

[General E. Speaking, RN, RN]

Depends on when the gag reflex returns...

[brownbook]

Shoecrazy nurse. That is what is also crazy. We get a lot of pressure to get stable patients out quickly.

If the patient is sent home prior to the hour being up they and their ride home are told, "OK the hour will be up by the time you get home, then you can have something!" Toooo much, so if they don't have a gag reflex when they get home and choke and aspirate that is ok?????

Of course I know that won't happen, but none of it makes any sense!

Anyhow I just fudge the times and or ignore the clock, I always give them something just because it is a stupid idea. I haven't looked but I'd bet it is not a "policy" just some stupid idea someone had once that now everyone does!!!!