[DYSPHAGIA] Blue dye.

[LMackie@multicare.com (Leann Mackie)]

The reason our hospital stopped adding blue dye (or any color for that
matter) to tube feedings or for blue-dye tests was because of concerns
regarding contamination. Our infection control manager either read a study
or cultured bottles that were around the hospital and found them growing
interesting things.  I think the problem was mostly with using eyedroppers
for dispensing.  We are allowed to use food coloring for our tests, but we
are not supposed to bring the bottle from room to room and we are supposed
to pour from the bottle, not stick something into it. They also want us to
get the smallest bottle so it doesn't stay around too long.  
We've found the easiest thing is to just use colored foods for doing the
exams, my favorite is chocolate pudding (unless they're allergic to
chocolate) or thickened grape juice. I usually have the RT suction the
patient first so we get a good idea of the baseline color of their
secretions.  I also usually ask dietary to only send the patients dark
colored foods for the first 24 hours so we can see if there is any
aspiration later.  This system seems to work really well. 
Leann Mackie
Tacoma General Hospital

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