cleaning of et tubes

Re: cleaning of et tubes

clairebear . — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:24:02 GMT

thank you to everyone for your input. we dont use hibiscrub at this practice, also had problems using hibi with et tubes so would never use it unless absolutely necessary. after much discussion we have resorted to using safe4 as a soak then scrubbing and rinsing. really have never understood the practicallities of blowing down et tubes but we are all tought differently so each to their own.

thanks everybody!!

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Calli D — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:50:29 GMT

I have noticed that Vet Direct sell a 4 pack of tube pipe cleaners and they have assured me that the smallest one will fit down a 3mm tube - whether this is true or not I have no idea as have not managed to convince any of the practices that work at as a locum to buy them. has anyone got these, and do they do the job?

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Vicky RVN — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:13:50 GMT

Yes, there are a lot of pets insured, but i certainly wouldn't say most pets are insured. Plus the insurance won't cover the routine procedures (neutering), which i would say is a large percentage of the surgery general practice does.

Re: cleaning of et tubes

amy sinton — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:20:35 GMT

thanks for your input, im pretty new to all this any feedback is great! i understand what you have commented on about keeping costs down and that a veterinary practice is like a business but i assumed that most pets are insured and therefore the cost of such items are covered. am i wrong? thanks again for your thoughts :)

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Fiona Leathers — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:58:11 GMT

You should look down it to see if it blocked or if they have a stylet lying around, pass that down it or blow air from a syringe down it.
You should blow up the cuff, to ensure it stays up.
You should check the blue connector & the cuff are the same size.
You should check around the connector for signs of the rubber perishing.

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Maisy — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:34:48 GMT

[quote user="Freckle"]

as an aside, i *think* there is a practical test asking you to check the patency of an et tube - what are they expecting you to do?

[/quote]

Nothing on ET tubes at the moment, there could be a question asked during your anaesthesia/surgical task at the most.

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Freckle — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:54:24 GMT

thankyou for the suggestions :) will be implementing them on monday!

as an aside, i *think* there is a practical test asking you to check the patency of an et tube - what are they expecting you to do?

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Michelle Witham — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:20:05 GMT

Idea for ET Tube patency - Obviously complete a visual inspection of tube then attach it to a circuit and use your emergency o2 release button to push stream of 02 through, check with your hand over end of Et tube

More hygienic than blowing down the tube, and not too much oxygen wastage as its a short burst.

Michelle

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Sal the 1st — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:51:02 GMT

catheter tip 5oml syringes work well with most sizes as mentioned by Nick

smallest sizes a 10ml syringe with a 14g i/v cannula will get a good seal

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Nick Shackleton — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:52:48 GMT

Supplied with Ayres T-piece is a squidgy yellow connect which could prob be used to make an air tight seal or use a catheter tip 50ml syringe????

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Freckle — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:50:56 GMT

[quote user="Kate Claxton"]

Blowing down ET tubes was also discussed on the other thread - don't do it! It means any bugs you're harbouring could go straight into the patient's respiratory system, e.g. MRSA, strep :(

[/quote]

i read this on the other thread, and have been trying to put it into practice....

I still worry though that since the syringes don't form an airtight fit with the tube, that there could still be an occlusion there...? So i usually end up blowing down them anyway!

Must note - I have seen a patient die from a tube blocked with hibiscrub of all things, so am slightly OCD about their patency!

Perhaps there is a gap in the market for a syringe that fits the connector, purely to be used to check patency?

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:19:39 GMT

Blowing down ET tubes was also discussed on the other thread - don't do it! It means any bugs you're harbouring could go straight into the patient's respiratory system, e.g. MRSA, strep :(

Re: cleaning of et tubes

gemma83 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:07:36 GMT

We use dilute hibiscrub, and scrub the outside including the blue connector with a nail brush and a small pipe cleaner for the inside. Also using a syringe to push out any fluid (with the pressure from the syringe works well). Then we rinse them with water to get rid of any hibiscrub.

Before using any tube we either look down or blow down to make sure they are clear to use and not blocked.

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Claire Cameron — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:21:40 GMT

[quote user="sal the 1st"]

'In the NHS ET tubes would never be used more than once'

The NHS isnt dependant on making a profit to pay its way - vet practices are, vet definition of a cheap item are the ones that can be used over and over again and need replacing only when they are absolutely worn out and beyond any means of repair. You could argue that it is not cost effective to spend time cleaning them - but look who gets the job of cleaning them - nursing staff, and guess what vets see us as cheap too!

sorry having a very bad day!

[/quote]

Agree with you there Sal

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Sal the 1st — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:59:46 GMT

'In the NHS ET tubes would never be used more than once'

sorry having a very bad day!

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Vicky RVN — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:48:38 GMT

[quote user="amy sinton"]In the NHS ET tubes would never be used more than once- any idea why it isn't the same for animals? your comments would be much appreciated :)[/quote]

Because of cost! If using disposable ones the costs would have to be added to the price of the surgery. £1 may be cheap, but all the bits and pieces would soon add up and make the cost of surgery high! It's all about making enough money for the practice to keep going whilst keeping the cost of ops low enough to make them realist and affordable. The NHS have us paying our taxes to be able to afford things like it, if only there was an animal NHS.

Re: cleaning of et tubes

amy sinton — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:04:45 GMT

far from trying to promote our products......it was acutally to help the person who posted the thread. if you're having trouble cleaning a product perhaps disposable is a good alternative (even if just for the small sizes) - we do have customers that do this because it's easier. There are many other brands such as portex who also make disposable et tubes, i think JAK even have their own brand which are dead cheap! i think they are only about £1. In the NHS ET tubes would never be used more than once- any idea why it isn't the same for animals? your comments would be much appreciated :)

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:39:17 GMT

[quote user="Nick Shackleton"]

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/t/5626.aspx?PageIndex=3

Here Mrs D D

[/quote]

It was you that said about it 1st Nick.... I just pinched it!

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Nick Shackleton — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:47:58 GMT

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/t/5626.aspx?PageIndex=3

Here Mrs D D

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:46:38 GMT

http://www.vetnurse.co.uk/forums/t/5626.aspx

Try this..................

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:44:46 GMT

There is another recent thread about cleaning et tubes... just trying to work out how to put a link up to it..... it also has a reference by someone who shouldn't be promoting their products on here... eg disposable et tubes.... which I reckon 99.9% of practices won't use, by the way.......... I thought company product promotion was banned, Arlo?

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Emma Townson VN Cert IV MBVNA — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:20:50 GMT

Me also with a pipecleaner!

Great invention...lol

Re: cleaning of et tubes

amy sinton — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:12:20 GMT

Vygon do disposable et tubes- you don't have to wash them at all and they are clear so you can see any blockages during surgery

Re: cleaning of et tubes

Kerry Spain — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:56:43 GMT

with a teeny weeny pipe cleaner