During intubation use end-tidal CO2 detector
When intubating pediatric patients, confirm endotracheal (ET) tube placement with an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector. The single-use plastic device ensures that the ET tube is in the trachea, with a color-coded diaphragm that changes from purple to yellow within six breaths. You know that if the device stays purple, the tube could be in the esophagus, says Linda Manley, RN, BSN, CEN, CCRN, EMS coordinator at Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH. "Otherwise, everything could appear fine and dandy, but the tube isn’t in place."
The devices cost $238 for a case of 24 or $60 for a case of 6, and the price deters some facilities from using them.
"I’ve had several patients, adults and children, who benefited from this device," notes Manley. "Some people may say it’s too expensive, but figure out the cost of one malpractice suit because the tube wasn’t in place." The device is available in two sizes: Pedi-Cap for children less than 15 kilos (about the size of a 3-year-old) or a larger Easy-Cap for older children and adults.
Easy-Caps and Pedi-Caps are available from Nellcor Puritan Bennett, 24280 Hacienda Drive, Pleasanton, CA 94588. Telephone: (800) NELLCOR or (510) 463-4000. Fax: (510) 463-4430.
[Editor’s note: Each month, ED Nursing will share a Tip of the Month with our readers. We’d love to include your ED’s tip. Contact Staci Bonner, Editor, American Health Consultants, P.O. Box 740056, Atlanta, GA 30374. Telephone: (516) 626-0147. Fax: (516) 626-2957. E-mail: Sbonner [email protected].]
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