RN's replacing G-tubes.

[Rolipoli 65]

I AM WRITING THIS TO FIND OUT IF ANY NURSES OUT THER USE SILICON FOLEY CATHETERS FOR G-TUBES? AND IF YOU DO, ARE YOU ALLOWED TO CHANGE THEM?

OUR G-TUBES ARE SEWN IN SURGICALLY AND CONSTANTLY GET CLOGGED AND HAVE TO BE CHANGED. WE HAVE TO SEND THEM TO A SPECIALIST TO HAVE THEM CHANGED. SOME HOSPITALS, I WAS INFORMED, USE SILICON FOLEY CATHETERS THAT CAN EASILY BE REMOVED INSTEAD OF ACTUAL G-TUBES.

ANY ADVICE OR INFO WOULD BE MORE THAN APPRECIATED.:bowingpur

[suzanne4, RN]

It is not any different with inserting the actual Mickey tube that you are referring to or the silicone or even latex foley catheter. Both are going into the same area and use the same technique.

And really not a reason to sew it in either, whether the silicone foley or the G-tube.

If a tube comes out, no matter where the patient is, something needs to be placed immediately or they will have to go and have a procedure done under sedation to replace it.

Whether or not you can replace it will depend on your facility where you are employed, they have the final say on it.

But a bigger issue would be why are your G-tubes always getting plugged? I would focus on that first as it should not be happening to begin with.

What type of facility do you work in and what age patients first of all?

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

I work in some nursing homes and a clogged tube means the previous nurse did not flush it. We use the foleys to replace tubes and we do it at bedside. Nicely enough the foley insertion kit has everything you need to accomplish it quickly and cleanly. (or sterile-ey):loveya:

[rn undisclosed name]

I have had clogged g-tubes and there are things you can do to unclog it. I have done cola and viokase with bicarb and they both worked.

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

I love warm saline and/or sprite. Milking the tube works 90% of the time too.:nuke:

[Burnt Out, ASN, RN]

We have g-tubes in stock in our central supply (at least we did). We also have to pass a competency per our policy to be able to insert another G-tube.

We use cola, diet cola or cranberry juice to try to declog a g-tube.

[noc4senuf]

Yes, I have replaced the G-tubes in the past. Besides all the above posted items used to unclog one, I have also used meat tenderizer.