EZ EM PROTOCO2L 6400 - Patient Insufflation; Observations During Insufflation

PROTOCO
2
L
TM
Colon Insufflator User Manual
Page
19
10.7
PATIENT INSUFFLATION
1.
Begin insufflation in the lateral decubitus position by p
ressing the FLOW STOP/RUN button
to initiate gas flow. Gently roll the patient into the supine position. Allow the pressure and
volume to stabilize.
2.
Within approximately 1 to 3 minutes, the volume will stabilize between 2 and 3 L, and the
pressure will
stabilize at the set
-
point. If after 3 to 5 minutes, the actual volume stabilizes at
less than 2 Liters, the pressure remains less than the set
-
point, or the volume fails to stabilize,
see OBSERVATIONS DURING INSUFFLATION below.
Note: If the volume reac
hes 4 Liters at any point during the procedure, the flow of CO
2
will
automatically pause. This will be evident by the light on the FLOW STOP/RUN button
going out. Pressing the FLOW STOP/RUN button again will reinitiate the flow for an
additional 2 Liter
s. Each subsequent restarting of the flow will reinstate the flow for an
additional 2 Liters.
3.
Take the scout image. Evaluate the quality of insufflation. If insufflation is insufficient, see
OBSERVATIONS DURING INSUFFLATION below.
4.
Begin supine CT sc
an.
5.
Following the supine scan, roll the patient to the prone position. Immediately take the scout
image.
6.
Begin prone CT scan.
10.8
OBSERVATIONS DURING
INSUFFLATION
1.
Patient Discomfort:
Occasionally, the patient may feel some abdominal
discomfort during the
initial stages of insufflation, which is primarily due to the
distention of the colon. To minimize patient discomfort, the following steps may
be taken:
a.
Instruct the patient to breathe through his/her mouth.
b.
Instruct the patient to relax his/her abdominal
muscles during the
procedure.
c.
If the unit is in RUN mode, the flow of CO
2
may be paused by pressing
the FLOW STOP/RUN button to allow time for the colon to relax. Once
the patient is comfortable, the flow can be re
-
started by pressing the
FLOW STOP/RUN bu
tton again.
d.
For patients who require more gradual insufflation, the pressure of CO
2
may be lowered (15 to 20 mm Hg) by using the Pressure Adjust Dial, to
allow for a more gradual distention of the colon. When the patient is
comfortable, the pressure shoul
d be slowly raised to 20
-
25 mm Hg.