When to Use Lubricating Jelly For Medical Procedures

Lubricating jelly and medical lubricants have become a favored product for improving patient comfort during invasive procedures. The increase in patient comfort has led to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction with their medical services. This helps to reduce the fear and anxiety related to invasive medical procedures, leading to increased patient compliance and better healing. Just think, all of these positives from one simple product!

HR Pharmaceuticals is proud to offer HR Lubricating Jelly for personal and professional use. It is a sterile, water-soluble, bacteriostatic lubricating jelly that is available in a variety of packaging and volumes. And, while we encourage widespread use of our amazing product, there are a few times when it is not advised you use it, or any other lube for that matter. Follow along in today’s post as we help clarify when and when you should not use lubricating jelly during medical exams or procedures.

When Should a Medical Lubricant be Used?

For the most part, any invasive medical procedures that require you to insert a device or equipment into an orifice, you should lubricate the device. Some examples of procedures include (but are not limited to):

  • Feeding tube insertion
  • Endoscopy
  • Ultrasound
  • Reproductive procedures
  • Vaginal exam — digital, speculum, ultrasound wand
  • Rectal exam — digital, tube placement, enema, medication administration, disimpaction, or colonoscopy
  • Self-Catheterization
  • Foley Catheter insertion

For more in-depth information about these procedures and the use of surgical lubricant, read our article here.

When You Don’t Need Lubricant

Because of how proud we are of our superior medical lube, we hate to admit that there are times when you should refrain from using it, but it would be irresponsible of us to market it as a product that can be used in every procedure. Here are a few times that you shouldn’t use ours, or any other, lubricating jelly.

Otoscope use

When looking in the ears with any device, it is not necessary, nor is it advised to use lubricant of any kind. The ear is a dry membrane and should never be penetrated. An otoscope, or auriscope, should only be inserted far enough to visualize the tympanic membrane and no further. Using any sort of fluid or lubricant can cause damage to the eardrum and is not advised unless otherwise ordered.

Venous access

Puncturing the skin for the purpose of venous access should never be accompanied by a lubricant of any kind. We understand your desire to want to make the procedure more comfortable and establish a way to make the needle cause as little friction or discomfort as possible, but this should be achieved by using the sharpest, highest-quality needles in the appropriate gauge. Lubricants are not intended to enter the circulatory system and should not be used for this purpose.

Get More Done Using One

Hospitals and physician offices need multi-purpose lubricants to make procedures easier to perform and more comfortable for patients. HR® Lubricating Jelly’s quality ingredients create an optimal formula for versatile usage while remaining cost-competitive. For all of your lubricant needs, browse our entire product line today.

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