ENHANCED ACTIVATED-CHARCOAL DELIVERY THROUGH SMALL-BORE TUBING

Activated charcoal is often given through small-bore tubing for pediat ric patients or in attempts to bypass the stomach in patients who are vomiting. The viscosity makes activated charcoal difficult to administ er through small-bore tubing. This invitro study examined several inte rventions to facilitate flow of aqueous suspension activated charcoal through the small-bore tubing. Aqueous suspension activated charcoal w ith or without sorbitol had similar flow rates. Precoating the tubing with mineral oil gave only minimal increases in flow rate. A 10% dilut ion decreased the time to administer 240 ccs of aqueous suspension act ivated charcoal by 2/3. An additional 10% dilution reduced the time to administer the same dose a further 50%. Minimal dilution of aqueous s uspension activated charcoal with tap water greatly increased flow rat e through small-bore tubes.