Securing ETT's in the NICU

[cagedbear]

Is anyone using a securing device in their unit for ETT's? Do you like it? How about those who just tape? What is your method and what kind of tape do you use? We have lots of conversations going on here about lots of stuff, so I am just asking to gain some data. Thanks!

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Vast majority of the tubes are secured using "pants" white cloth tape, plus a logan's bow with the ETT also secured to the logan's bow. A tiny percentage are secured using neobars. I personally love the neobars because the infants I care for on the vent are almost always chronic long term vents that tend to be older and have tons of oral secretions. More traditional tape jobs don't hold up to all that slobber.

Another reason I'm not fond of the traditional tape jobs is I've seen many skin tears happen then retaping even when great care is taken. Other times great care cannot be taken when the infant extubates and one must get the no good tube out to bag the infant.

[fitRNpic]

I too am fond of the Neobar. They come in many different sizes and are able to fit to even the tiniest of neonates. The NICU I used to work at used a metal bar and taped the ETT to the metal bar and the bar to the neonates cheeks. I thought it looked very barbaric and somewhat scary to family members.

[RM-RN]

We use Neobars for everyone. I have a little bit of a love/hate relationship with them. When they work, they work very well, adhere nicely, stand-up to a lot of movement and secretions, etc.....but when they don't (or are used/measured incorrectly), they're a pain in the rear. I don't know that I'd be less annoyed by any other method, though.