Syringes that fit Mic-Key button g-tube

i care for a brother and sister who both each have mic-key buttons for g-tube access. we ran out of syringes that fit into the mic-key button to give meds directly into the g-tube. mom states that the kids' medicaid is no longer paying for such an item (???).

does anyone know a medical supply company that i can obtain 10 cc syringes for giving medication thru the g-tube that actually fits the mic-key button? i've ordered two different types from two different companies and each time the tip of the syringe was too large to fit. my second order, i even talked to a customer service rep who assured me the enteral 10 cc syringe we talked about would fit the mic-key button.

i know i shouldn't have to order supplies like this but mom is dragging her feet about these medication syringes and we really need them so i'm just gonna bite the bullet and buy a supply for the home myself. i just need direction as to what to get.

i even contacted the family's home supply company and they were unable to give me the name and order number for these syringes as they were not listed in their computer. i just don't know how or where to look anymore!!

thanks in advance for your help

[WI_home_RN]

i care for a brother and sister who both each have mic-key buttons for g-tube access. we ran out of syringes that fit into the mic-key button to give meds directly into the g-tube. mom states that the kids' medicaid is no longer paying for such an item (???).

does anyone know a medical supply company that i can obtain 10 cc syringes for giving medication thru the g-tube that actually fits the mic-key button? i've ordered two different types from two different companies and each time the tip of the syringe was too large to fit. my second order, i even talked to a customer service rep who assured me the enteral 10 cc syringe we talked about would fit the mic-key button.

i know i shouldn't have to order supplies like this but mom is dragging her feet about these medication syringes and we really need them so i'm just gonna bite the bullet and buy a supply for the home myself. i just need direction as to what to get.

i even contacted the family's home supply company and they were unable to give me the name and order number for these syringes as they were not listed in their computer. i just don't know how or where to look anymore!!

thanks in advance for your help

[RNburnout]

I'm confused...if you attach your g-tube line/connector/extension/whatever you want to call it, you can use both the oral syringes and luer-lock IV syringes to draw up your meds and administer them. They both will fit into your medport on your extension. The connector im referring to has both the medport and larger port for administering feeds. If you're referring to 6ml pointed non-luer lock syringe that comes with the kits that are used to inflate the balloons during insertion, i have only seen those in the kits.

[WI_home_RN]

I like to give my meds thru the g-tube with a syringe. It seems like some of the meds stick to the sides of the 60 cc g-tube with extension tubing when i give meds that route. Its just my preference is all as an RN.

[WI_home_RN]

forgot to mention that Luer-Lock syringes do not fit the Mic-Key button. It has to be a Slip Tip-type syringe.

[Brauer]

BD slip tip syringes will work with Mic-Key buttons as we use them all the time at work. They should be able to point you in the right direction on who their distributors are near you. Contact them at: Ask BD

Baxa - Home Baxa is the bomb for syringes. If they made shoes I would wear them.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I like to give my meds thru the g-tube with a syringe. It seems like some of the meds stick to the sides of the 60 cc g-tube with extension tubing when i give meds that route. Its just my preference is all as an RN.

It's actually not recommended to give meds straight into the button via a syringe. The high pressure created by a syringe can risk the balloon rupturing prematurely.

You should be able to find the Mic-Key G-tube extensions that can fit a syringe on the end. This is supposed to be the safest way to give meds via the Mic-Key.

[SitcomNurse]

I love the extensions, think they are a life save at times. But Im not giving those types of meds that stick to everything, so its different. Lordy knows I hate to give the "crushed" version of meds instead of the liquids(especially seizure meds!) But in prefrence, extension work great. Barring that.... ya do what ya gotta do, I have. Getting those meds in is more important than the tools you use, (mainting protocols, of course)

[noahsmama]

At the peds hospital where I used to work, we always used the extension. The volume wasn't 60 cc, it was about 5cc. So, if the extensions you have are 60 cc, maybe it's just a matter of finding the smaller volume ones?

It's actually not recommended to give meds straight into the button via a syringe. The high pressure created by a syringe can risk the balloon rupturing prematurely.

You should be able to find the Mic-Key G-tube extensions that can fit a syringe on the end. This is supposed to be the safest way to give meds via the Mic-Key.

I agree 100% I knew of a nurse who did this once and the her patient vomited shortly after. Too much pressure not only for the balloon but also for the patient!

[noahsmama]

I agree 100% I knew of a nurse who did this once and the her patient vomited shortly after. Too much pressure not only for the balloon but also for the patient!

Sometimes they vomit even when you use the extension. There's a lot of factors including that particular pt's tolerance and the total volume of the meds. I would generally give them as slowly as I could, and if they began to give any signs that they might be about to vomit (gagging, coughing), I would stop. Some pts I would have to stagger their meds instead of giving them all at the same time. Other pts could tolerate the volume just fine, so it was partly a function of knowing the pt.

Medicaid was paying for these extensions on my last case, within the past month. I do not see how it is expected to administer meds without the proper equipment. I think your supervisor at the office needs to look into the medicaid refusing to pay claim. It does not sound right to me. Perhaps the family could use some assistance with getting the proper equipment. Get your supervisor involved.

[joprasklpn]

try using the mic-key extensions instead of using the port. may be a little more time consuming, but at least the kids will get the meds they need.

[WI_home_RN]

try using the mic-key extensions instead of using the port. may be a little more time consuming, but at least the kids will get the meds they need.

We've been having to do this and the meds plug up the tubing and the g-tube every time. So much easier to push meds thru the syringe. My home coordinator is going to look into ordering for us tomorrow syringes and the Mic-Key button extension sets for bolus because Mom just hasn't been ordering ANYTHING lately and we are so badly in need of supplies. I just don't understand why Mom just doesn't let us do the ordering her. At my other job assignment, us nurses do all the monthly ordering and it goes so much smoother. We know what we need, the family doesn't! Sorry for the vent but its so frustrating!!

My patient has a mickey gb and we attach these little red things to the tips of the syringes so that it fits into the g-button. i have no idea what they are called though. sorry =(

[WI_home_RN]

My patient has a mickey gb and we attach these little red things to the tips of the syringes so that it fits into the g-button. i have no idea what they are called though. sorry =(

I finally found some syringes that actually fit! So excited! I know, the smallest things can make me happy But, in talking with some colleagues yesterday about my find, we were discussing how and why these syringes just don't come all universally fit. I didn't know they make a "universal fitter" connector in the form of a "red thingy" to make it work tho! That's great news! If in the future we have a problem finding syringes again, I can also look for these to do the job. Thanks for the tip!!

[systoly]

I'm glad you got it worked out. Mickey extensions come in different sizes (diameter). One of each usually comes in the box with a Mickey button. Do the meds plug up even the large tube ?