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The Feeding Tube Bridle: One Inexpensive, Safe, and Effective Method to Prevent Inadvertent Feeding Tube Dislodgement
Author(s) -
McGinnis Carol
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
nutrition in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1941-2452
pISSN - 0884-5336
DOI - 10.1177/0884533610392585
Subject(s) - tube (container) , medicine , feeding tube , health care , surgery , medical emergency , intensive care medicine , waste management , engineering , economics , economic growth
Nasally placed feeding tubes are heavily relied on in healthcare. Inadvertent tube removal not only poses safety hazards and discomfort for the patient, but also causes strain on valuable healthcare resources. Because use of restraints can agitate patients, increase safety hazards, and create a sense of depersonalization, alternative methods to prevent inadvertent tube removal are desirable. This article describes a feeding tube bridle constructed with supplies that are inexpensive and readily available to most patient care units. This method has been successfully utilized for patients at significant risk for self‐initiated feeding tube removal in one Midwestern facility for many years without adverse effects. The method of bridling feeding tubes described here is effective, safe, and relatively comfortable as well as minimally noticeable to the patient and others. (Nutr Clin Pract. 2011;26:70–77)