title: Enhanced activated charcoal delivery through small-bore tubing.
abstract: Activated charcoal is often given through small-bore tubing for pediatric patients or in attempts to bypass the stomach in patients who are vomiting. The viscosity makes activated charcoal difficult to administer through small-bore tubing. This in vitro study examined several interventions to facilitate flow of aqueous suspension activated charcoal through the small-bore tubing. Aqueous suspension activated charcoal with or without sorbitol had similar flow rates. Precoating the tubing with mineral oil gave only minimal increases in flow rate. A 10% dilution decreased the time to administer 240 ccs of aqueous suspension activated charcoal by 2/3. An additional 10% dilution reduced the time to administer the same dose a further 50%. Minimal dilution of aqueous suspension activated charcoal with tap water greatly increased flow rate through small-bore tubes.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Montefiore University Hospital, PA 15213.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Michelson
mesh_terms: D002606:Charcoal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002648:Child; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D013535:Suspensions; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D013535:Suspensions; D002606:Charcoal