Depending on the intended purpose of the tube, there are different types, each specifically designed for its use. Nasogastric tubes are typically used for decompression of the stomach in the setting of intestinal obstruction or ileus, but can also be used to administer nutrition or medication to patients who are unable to tolerate oral intake. Abraham Levin first described their use in 1921. Nasogastric tubes are, as one might surmise from their name, tubes that are inserted through the nares to pass through the posterior oropharynx, down the esophagus, and into the stomach.

Review the interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication of safe nasogastric tube placement.

Outline the appropriate evaluation of the potential complications of safe nasogastric tube placement.

Describe the technique of safe nasogastric tube placement.

Identify the indications for nasogastric tube placement.

It highlights the role of the interprofessional team in the use of NG tubes. This activity reviews the indications for the placement of nasogastric tubes and explains the pertinent anatomy, technique, equipment, and potential complications of placement of nasogastric tubes. They are most common in surgical patients but are useful in any patient population where gastric decompression or nutritional support is necessary. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2016.10.Nasogastric tubes are part of the standard of care in treating intestinal obstruction and can also be used to provide nutritional support. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Gastrostomies preserve but do not increase quality of life for patients and caregivers. Kurien M, Andrews RE, Tattersall R, et al. Complex feeding decisions: Perceptions of staff, patients, and their families in the inpatient hospital setting. Miles A, Watt T, Wong WY, McHutchison L Friary P.Michigan Medicine: Living with a feeding tube. Percutaneous endoscopic transgastric jejunostomy (PEG-J): a retrospective analysis on its utility in maintaining enteral nutrition after unsuccessful gastric feeding. Yoon EWT, Yoneda K, Nakamura S, Nishihara K. Incidence of sinusitis associated with endotracheal and nasogastric tubes: NIS database. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG tube). The effect of enteral tube feeding on patients' health-related quality of life: A systematic review. Understanding percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). When a person has signed a living will that specifies they would never want to be fed through a feeding tube, but the medical team and family have reason to believe that there is a chance of recovery if nutritional support is provided.Īmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.When a person is in a coma, with extensive and irreversible brain damage and no meaningful chance to recover, but could be kept alive indefinitely with artificial feedings.This can be a difficult problem when some, but not all, family members are aware of their loved one's wishes, but the wishes are not written or documented anywhere. When a person is unable to express personal wishes due to the impact of disease but had previously stated to loved ones that they would not want to be fed through a feeding tube.Some family members may feel that a feeding tube can prolong life for only a few days and may also lead to excessive pain and discomfort for the dying and unresponsive loved one. When a person is in a coma due to a progressive and fatal disease (such as metastatic cancer) that is expected to cause death very soon.

It is mainly used for people whose stomach cannot effectively move food down into the intestine due to weakened motility. Jejunostomy tube (J tube or PEJ tube): A jejunostomy tube is similar to a PEG tube, but its tip lies inside the small intestine, thus bypassing the stomach.Orogastric (OG) tube: An orogastric tube is like a nasogastric tube, except that it is inserted into the mouth instead of the nostril. This tube can remain in place for up to two weeks, when it must be removed or replaced with a permanent tube.Long-term use of NG tubes has been associated with sinusitis and other infections. NG tubes can become clogged, requiring replacement with a new tube every few days, but they are easy to remove. The outer portion is generally kept in position with tape that is placed on the nose.

NG tubes are thin and are inserted into a nostril, then threaded through the esophagus and into the stomach. Nasogastric tube (NG tube): This is among the least invasive types of feeding tubes and is only used temporarily.

Qfeed for tube feeding nares