Where’s the gap? Sterile vs. Tap

Abstract

This project explores the evidence on the preferred water used when flushing a feeding tube in an immunocompromised lung transplant patient in preventing infection risk. After conducting a survey among the staff on a medical surgical post lung transplant unit, it was found that many nurses do not know the preferred method and are unsure of any policy in place. We conducted a database search through CINHAL and PubMed to discover research articles with the best practice procedures. It was found that sterile water was the preferred method of flushing a feeding tube in immunocompromised patients and one researcher who felt that it made no difference and was a waste of money to use sterile water. One recommendation from this project is that a hospital system should implement a universal sterile water policy for feeding tube flushes in all patients, especially immunocompromised because it ensures all staff uses the same water and it is the best way to ensure our patients safety, which will prevent complications of infection and further costs.