Blind bedside insertion of small bowel feeding tubes

The use of Naso-Jejunal (NJ) feeding is limited by difficulty in feeding tube placement. Patients have traditionally required transfer to Endoscopy or Radiology for insertion of small bowel feeding tubes, with clear resource implications. We hypothesised that the adoption of a simple bedside procedure would be effective and reduce cost. Clinical nutrition and nurse specialist personnel were trained in the 10/10/10 method of blind bedside NJ insertion.

The aims of this prospective study were to evaluate safety, efficaciousness and resource implications of bedside NJ tube insertion.

A total of 22 patients had 37 NJ tubes inserted in the study period (12 months). The majority were inserted by either a nurse specialist or clinical nutritionist.

Out of the 37 insertions, 32 (86%) were in the correct position. Compared to Endoscopy insertion, this technique saved an estimated €8,353.60 for the duration of the study.

This study demonstrates that the bedside insertion of NJ tubes by clinical nutritionists and nurse specialists is safe, efficacious and highly cost effective.