Shyred

Oh wow, this is good to know. Just wondering...as long as there is stomach content that comes back into the new foley after insertion and no resistance with flushing, would that indicate proper placement or not necessarily?

Thank you all for your valuable replies!! They have definitely helped me to think clearer about this and not quite so frustrated. I think my next step should be to talk to my supervisor about having an official policy developed...then there shouldn't be any confusion with the procedure-hopefully.

To start off with, I'm an LPN in a PCH. Lately at work I'm beginning to feel ridiculed & frustrated! I had recently changed a foley catheter for gastric feeding (this is how the resident was sent back from acute care d/t problems with the peg), because it was blocked. The doctor had ordered that the nurses at the PCH were able to change the catheter when need be. Some of the nurses were reluctant to do this procedure and thought that the doctor should do this, or we should send the resident to acute care. Our Co-ordinator assured us that we are capable of this procedure. So when it happened on my shift that it needed to be changed, I went ahead with it. I was excited about doing something new. The actual procedure only took about 15 min and went very well. I knew I had it inserted correctly by evidence of stomach content coming back into the catheter following insertion. I inflated the balloon. Placement, flow, and feed rate have all been running very smoothly. However, after the fact I feel like I am being ridiculed by some of the other nursing staff for doing this. For ex: "I should have measured the length of the exterior catheter" (where it enters site to end where it connects to feed). And that I "should have charted how much fluid I used to inflate balloon". The reason they said this is because they are concerned the resident may pull on the catheter and then we wouldn't know if it's out of placement. I'll admit that I should have charted the fluid volume of the balloon, but my view is that if the resident pulls on the catheter, then it will be obvious d/t internal trauma...evidence of blood around site, total removal, resistance with flushing, and discomfort experienced by the resident. Measuring the length of the exterior part of the catheter to me seems redundant. Perhaps I am being too sensitive, but these remarks are making me feel like they think I'm inadequate. I feel I did a good job and did confirm with the doctor who had no concerns. This is just one example of current issues I am experiencing. I dread giving report now to the next shift because it seems everytime there is some sort of "controversary". I'm feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Anyone have some suggestions?