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ICU Patients are at High Risk for Complications

Did you know…?

Trauma and surgical intensive care unit (TSICU) patients supported with mechanical ventilation are at high risk for complications associated with malnutrition.[1]

Despite these interventions, TSICU patients often suffer a calorie deficit associated with enteral nutrition interruption for procedures or transitions in care.[1]

References:

  1. Shahmanyan, D., Lawrence, J.C., Lollar, D.I., Hamill, M.E., Faulks, E.R., Collier, B.R., Chestovich, P.J. and Bower, K.L. (2021), Early feeding after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement in trauma and surgical intensive care patients: A retrospective cohort study. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. (First published: November 17, 2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/jpen.2303

TubeClear System More Effective at Clearing Clogged Feeding Tubes

TubeClear System More Effective at Clearing Clogged Feeding Tubes

In a recent study published in Nutrition in Clinical Practice by Christopher M. Garrison, Ph.D., RN, CNE, the TubeClear system was found to be significantly more effective at removing clogs from feeding tubes than water or enzyme-based clog-clearing treatments.[1] While water flushes and Clog Zapper seemed to work sometimes, the TubeClear system worked nearly every time regardless of clog type (see Figure 1). In addition, the TubeClear system required less Active Nursing Time and Total Nursing Time than the water or Clog Zapper.

Based on this study, clinicians may save time by clearing clogs with the TubeClear system first.

Figure 1: The TubeClear System restored patency to feeding tubes 93% of the time during the study, compared to 33% and 20% for Clog Zapper and water treatments, respectively.

See TubeClear For Yourself!

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References:

  1. Garrison, C. M. Enteral Feeding Tube Clogging: What Are the Causes and What Are the Answers? A Bench Top Analysis. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2018. 33(1):147-150.

Clogs Can Happen in as Little as 2 Hours – Tuesday Tube Facts

Did you know…?

In this case study, one-third of patients who experienced a clog did so just 2-3 hours after the initial placement of the feeding tube.[1]

These tubes were cleared with the TubeClear system in approximately 15 minutes or less.

References:

  1. Belcher, M. “An Active Device for Restoring Patency in Clogged Small Bore Feeding and Decompression Tubes, Case Report Series.” 2016.

Thick Formulas and Medications Clog Smaller EADs – Tuesday Tube Facts

Thick Formulas and Medications Clog Smaller EADs – Tuesday Tube Facts

Clogging is especially common when thick formulas and medications are delivered through feeding tubes with smaller French sizes.[1]

If multiple medications must be delivered, it is recommended that each medication be delivered separately.[2]

1. Blumenstein I, Shastri YM, Stein J. Gastroenteric tube feeding: techniques, problems and solutions. World J Gastroenterol. 2014. 20(26):8505-24.

2. Kenny, D., & Goodman, P. Care of the patient with enteral tube feeding: An evidence-based practice protocol. Nursing Research. January/February 2010. 59(1S), S22-S31.