On the Bleeding Edge: Mastering GI Emergencies and Inpatient GI Consultation (Live and Virtual)| September 2026-Tau Mc-GI-VER DIY the Inpatient GI Service

Tau Mc-GI-VER DIY the Inpatient GI Service

Pdf Summary

This presentation, “Mac-GI-ver: DIY the Inpatient GI Service,” is a practical, creative guide to improvised tools and techniques for inpatient gastroenterology and endoscopy. It offers low-cost, field-expedient solutions to common procedural problems such as poor suction, clogged devices, bleeding, food impaction, PEG tube complications, biliary access challenges, and difficult hemostasis.<br /><br />Key ideas include augmenting suction with therapeutic scopes, vacutainers, or overtubes; preventing Hemospray catheter clogging with a bonewax-tipped catheter or CO2 borrowing method; and using a clear cap to improve treatment of bleeders and food bolus impactions. The talk also covers simple adjuncts like nitropaste, lidocaine jelly, zinc oxide tape, Crystal Light for bowel prep compliance, olive oil before ERCP, and peppermint oil for IBS-related cramping or odor masking.<br /><br />Several sections focus on PEG tube troubleshooting, including clogged PEG-J tubes, gastrocutaneous fistula closure, broken adapters, and pain control. The presentation also discusses techniques for difficult GI bleeding, such as epinephrine plus tattoo injection below a Dieulafoy lesion, and hemostatic forceps, which are presented as cost-effective and sometimes superior to clips.<br /><br />Additional endoscopic innovations include colonic decompression tubes for Ogilvie’s syndrome, mini bite blocks made from syringes, double-guidewire techniques using a modified cytology brush, endoscopic vacuum therapy, suction marking for polyps or PEG sites, and use of bands for diverticular bleeding or nodular GAVE. It also highlights tools such as an endoscopic hood made from a glove, a bougie cap for unexpected strictures, and modified Overstitch for 1T gastroscopes.<br /><br />Overall, the talk emphasizes improvisation, affordability, and practical bedside problem-solving in inpatient GI care, supported by published data where available.

Keywords

inpatient gastroenterology

endoscopy

improvised tools

suction augmentation

PEG tube complications

GI bleeding

hemostasis

food impaction

biliary access

cost-effective techniques