Understanding Gastric Lavage in Emergency Care

Take Home Points

1. Orogastric lavage may still play an important role in treatment of the overdose patient.  Do not perform lavage if the ingestion has limited toxicity at any dose or the ingested dose is unlikely to cause significant toxicity.
2. Strongly consider orogastric lavage in a patient who has taken an overdose of drugs that are particularly toxic, suspected extreme doses associated with high morbidity/mortality and do not have easily available and effective antidotes.
3. Secure the airway prior to placing the lavage tube to minimize aspiration risk.

The post REBEL Core Cast 129.0 – Gastric Lavage appeared first on REBEL EM - Emergency Medicine Blog.