PEG Tube Splash

Warning, I am a bit of a hypochondriac. Today was pushing my patient's meds through his PEG tube. Flushed fine prior to giving meds, but somehow got a clog and met pressure while trying to push in meds. The syringe was forced out from the pressure and I was sprayed with the contents of the syringe (meds and water). Naturally, it went all over my face and into my eye. Went to employee health and was told I would be fine. The patient was Hep B/C positive (not active on PCR), had MRSA, all kinds of strep and enterobac and bacteremia. Anyone have this happen to them? Should I be worried or stop worrying?

OK, I'll admit to being an experienced nurse who has had this happen many times. More times than I can count, and it usually seems that the patient with the PEG tube (or ND or NG or whatever tube) has all different kids of infections and nasty knarlies. I don't know the specifics of your patient, but if the employee health folks told you that you'd be fine, believe them. They DO know.

Having the tube contents sprayed all over you is nasty and disgusting, but one day it will be a funny story. (I have a few of them.) So try not to worry, and spend your time instead thinking about how you'll spin this for one of those "Most Disgusting Thing That Has Happened To Me" threads. And welcome to the club!

You were sprayed with meds and water, not blood and body fluids. You called it when you said you were a bit of a hypochondriac.

Please always carry a pair of goggles in your pocket so you can slip them on when needed. Allheart nursing has a good cheap pair.

As you said, you were sprayed by the contents of the syringe. The meds and water in the syringe are not the patient's infected blood.

I once gave a patient meds via G-tube and a minute later when I was washing my hands at the sink across the room, he projectile vomited them all over me.