Efficacy of nonswallow nasogastric tube intubation: a randomised controlled trial

Aims and objectives To prospectively identify the effect of the nonswallow procedure of nasogastric tube insertion. Background Nasogastric intubation is one of the most important and basic skills in treatment and nursing. Patients generally experience discomfort and encounter complications during this procedure. Thus, practitioners need a more convenient, effective, quicker and safer method to improve the performance of this procedure. Design This prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted from March to May 2014 in the four units of Gansun Province Hospital in Lanzhou, China. Method A total of 80 participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group ( n  = 40) and a control group ( n  = 40). Participants in the experimental group underwent a nonswallow procedure for nasogastric tube insertion. Results There were statistically significant differences in nasogastric tube insertion between the study groups. A marked increase in the success rate at first intubation as well as a markedly reduced occurrence of nausea, tearing, mucosal injury and changes in vital signs (i.e. heart rate, breath, systolic pressure) were observed compared with the control group. No differences in the success rates at second and third intubation were observed between the groups. Conclusions The nonswallow procedure of nasogastric tube intubation relieves discomfort and ensures the safety of patients. Relevance to clinical practice Patients subjected to nasogastric intubation are more likely to benefit from the nonswallow procedure when nasogastric tube insertion is performed.