Safe placement of nasogastric tubes in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Patient Safety
• Medical Device Placement

Background:

• Nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion is a common procedure with potential safety risks.
• Current NGT placement verification methods are often inadequate for pediatric patients.
• Limited guidance exists for situations where gastric placement cannot be confirmed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the safety of nasogastric tube insertion in children.
• To address the lack of clear protocols for verifying NGT placement in pediatric care.
• To challenge existing practice rituals and assumptions regarding NGT safety.

Main Methods:

• An evidence-based framework was utilized to critically evaluate current practices.
• A working party was established following a local adverse incident.
• A risk assessment approach was employed to develop a new NGT placement algorithm.

Main Results:

• Development of a novel nasogastric tube algorithm.
• The algorithm incorporates a risk assessment strategy for improved safety.
• The study provides a structured approach for confirming NGT placement in children.

Conclusions:

• The developed algorithm offers a safer method for NGT insertion in pediatric patients.
• Implementation of this algorithm can mitigate risks associated with incorrect NGT placement.
• This evidence-based tool supports safe nursing practice in diverse healthcare settings.