Hey all - I'm not sure if anyone is interested, actually I'm pretty sure that you're not, but, tomorrow I'm presenting at a conference at the U of A. If anyone wants to stop by, and hear about my thesis topic, we'll be in room 141 of the Arts Building, and I talk at 11:50.

Goddamn, I love this "Initiation of Intravenous Therapy" book. One of the possible complications of IV therapy is phlebitis (inflammation of the wall of the vein). The book has a table of causes of mechanical phlebitis (ie. phlebitis caused by direct injury to the wall of the vein.) Cause number one: "Traumatic or unskilled insertion."

Prevention of mechanical phlebitis arising from said cause: "Use skilled insertion technique."

Fucking brilliant.

I personally couldn't tell the difference with the Senator's logo. They said they made the guy look meaner, but after looking at the old and the new logo, is couldn't see it. It was the big news last week in the Metro.

Ever thought the word "Vancouver" looked weird? You will after flipping through this gallery.

(Although, perhaps I should hold my criticism until the Oilers unveil their new jerseys. With the crap that's surfaced from other teams, and this organizations player management of the past couple of years, who knows what they'll come up with this time around.)

You can do worse than end up in a bronchus, even with the kao tube. Those x-rays of pneumothoraxes thanks to misplaced and, uh, enthusiastic enteral tube insertions are delightful.

Why would you think getting an NG put into you would be a pleasant experience? That's why its a last resort if feeding orally can't be done. That's also why most patients are sedated when its inserted. Just make sure its down the right tube!!! One of the residents inserted it into someone's bronchi and had to reinsert it into the patient.

If you want to minimize aspiration, I suggest extending it into the small bowel. But then you need a kao for that.

the purpose of the NG tube is to feed a patient that is otherwise unable to eat food orally, and yes the tube goes all the way to the stomach through the nose.

and paras make sure you don't end up being one of those physicians who asks that we check for aspiration caused by the feed tube... we call those drs stupid ;)

NASOGASTRIC!??? WTF? Did you like get a tube shoved up your nose so far it went into your stomach!????

Also, for the curious, what I learned at school today: nasogastric tubes are super-easy to put in, but having it done to you is a bitch. I shall endeavour to remember that horrible experience when I order them for patients.

Happy Anniversary, kids.