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Inadvertent Dislodgement of Nasoenteral Feeding Tubes: Incidence and Prevention
Author(s) -
Meer Jeffrey A.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.935
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1941-2444
pISSN - 0148-6071
DOI - 10.1177/0148607187011002187
Subject(s) - medicine , feeding tube , parenteral nutrition , tube (container) , surgery , intubation , incidence (geometry) , intensive care medicine , engineering , waste management , physics , optics
The introduction of soft, small‐bore nasoenteral feeding tubes has improved our ability to provide nutritional support to patients in a more comfortable, safe, and cost‐effective manner. A retrospective study reveals, however, that 40% of patients receiving nasoenteral tube feeding experienced inadvertent dislodgement of their feeding tubes. All of the patients with dislodged feeding tubes were confused, disoriented, or obtunded periodically. Various means for preventing this problem are discussed. In view of both the considerable time and effort required to place nasoenteral feeding tubes properly and the potential complications due to inadvertent tubes dislodgement, it is recommended that nasoenteral feeding tubes be secured more effectively, particularly in confused or obtunded patients. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 11: 187–189, 1987)