Evaluation of methods used to verify nasogastric feeding tube placement in hospitalized infants and children – A follow-up study

Reducing the risk of nasogastric tube misplacement

“…21 These results suggest gastric pH measurement and radiograph confirmation of tube location are identified as best-practice methods for NG tube location verification, but this recognition didn't match reported actual practice. 21 Although encouraging, the findings from the Northington and colleagues 2022 study indicate the work of the NOVEL Project is far from complete and continued effort is necessary to move practice forward toward use of evidence-based practices. Efforts are needed from nurse leaders at all levels and frontline patientcare providers across all disciplines to educate and disseminate evidence for best-practice recommendations to change praxis and institutional policy related to NG tube placement, location verification, and use.…”

“…21 Comparatively, 64% of all respondents perceive radiographs as best practice with only 20% stating use of radiographs is the current practice in their respective institutions (see Figure 1). 21 These results suggest gastric pH measurement and radiograph confirmation of tube location are identified as best-practice methods for NG tube location verification, but this recognition didn't match reported actual practice. 21 Although encouraging, the findings from the Northington and colleagues 2022 study indicate the work of the NOVEL Project is far from complete and continued effort is necessary to move practice forward toward use of evidence-based practices.…”

“…21 Additionally, more than 40% of the total respondents reported gastric pH measurement to be the actual practice at their institution. 21 Comparatively, 64% of all respondents perceive radiographs as best practice with only 20% stating use of radiographs is the current practice in their respective institutions (see Figure 1). 21 These results suggest gastric pH measurement and radiograph confirmation of tube location are identified as best-practice methods for NG tube location verification, but this recognition didn't match reported actual practice.…”

“…Evaluation from the impact study by Northington and colleagues further validates the challenges that exist in accomplishing deimplementation of unsafe practices for NGT placement verification. 21 Nurse managers were credited by 34% of the respondents with effecting change to an evidence-based method for NG tube placement verification. 21 Most respondents (46%) were unaware of who or what prompted a practice change; however, approximately 10% credited the NOVEL Project workgroup's efforts as influencing a change in practice, suggesting the group's work is making an impact.…”

“…21 Nurse managers were credited by 34% of the respondents with effecting change to an evidence-based method for NG tube placement verification. 21 Most respondents (46%) were unaware of who or what prompted a practice change; however, approximately 10% credited the NOVEL Project workgroup's efforts as influencing a change in practice, suggesting the group's work is making an impact. 21 However, engagement of nurse managers, nurse administrators, and nurse educators is essential to further disseminate evidence-based methods and deimplement nonevidence-based practices.…”