A call to action: the development of enteral access safety teams

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Medical Device Safety
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Nasogastric feeding tube placement verification poses safety challenges in pediatric patients.
• The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) recommends collaborative efforts to establish best practices.
• Current methods for nasogastric tube placement and verification require further development and standardization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the creation of specialized, multidisciplinary teams within healthcare institutions.
• To enhance the quality of care for pediatric patients requiring nasogastric feeding.
• To address critical safety concerns associated with nasogastric tube use in infants and children.

Main Methods:

• Commentary synthesizing current knowledge and expert opinion.
• Analysis of existing challenges in nasogastric tube placement verification.
• Call for interdisciplinary and interorganizational collaboration.

Main Results:

• The need for dedicated teams to manage nasogastric feeding tube care is highlighted.
• Emphasis on developing improved technologies and best practices for tube placement.
• The commentary expands upon existing research regarding current verification methods.

Conclusions:

• Specialized teams are crucial for improving the safety and efficacy of nasogastric feeding in pediatrics.
• A collaborative approach involving multiple disciplines and organizations is essential.
• Continuous innovation in technology and practice is necessary to ensure optimal patient outcomes.