History of Varices an Absolute Contraindication to an NG?

I'm wondering...

Do you or your department considering a history of varices to be a strict and absolute contraindication to placement of an NG tube?

We were faced with this situation and placed the tube because there was no practical alternative and the attending (a very smart and competent doc) said that there is no consensus in the research data to declare 'stable' varices an absolute contraindication in a person for whom the tube is necessary for vital treatment.
In that case, I prob would have asked the doc himself to place it, or at the very least consult surgery for its placement. The surgical residents at my facility would have placed it or had it placed in interventional radiology.I believe it is considered an absolute contraindication to NURSING placing the tube. At least where I work. (Level I teaching trauma center).

I doubt very much that the procedure for a doc to sink a Salem sump is one bit different from the way I would do it...but with someone with varices, at least when they tear the doc is still there to deal with it! ("all bleeding stops eventually...." love it)

Quote from GrnTeaI doubt very much that the procedure for a doc to sink a Salem sump is one bit different from the way I would do it...but with someone with varices, at least when they tear the doc is still there to deal with it! ("all bleeding stops eventually...." love it)

Quote from CodeteamBAgree, I think that the only reason to have the doc do it if it is absolutely necessary to be done is to have him/her Johnny-on-the-spot and maybe dodge liability. I certainly wouldn't want a resident doing it considering the only time I see residents dropping an NG is while I'm teaching them to do it. It's kind of like saying "maybe we should ask the doctor" about a difficult foley/IV insertion. Unless it is a urologist or an anesthetist you won't be getting any expertise there.

Quote from DeLanaHarvickWannabeOur surgical residents are awesome with NG tube insertions. But I prefer to drop them myself. I just ain't got time for causing no hemorrhage!