Patient Safety – Nasogastric feeding tube

THE STANDARD – NPSA
Before any liquid or feed is introduced into a nasogastric tube, confirmation that the tube tip is in the stomach, by pH testing or x-ray, must be completed.^{1, 2}

Since the completion date for that Alert’s actions (1 September 2005), the NRLS has received reports of a further 21 deaths and 79 cases of harm due to feeding into the lungs through misplaced nasogastric tubes.¹

A CALL TO ACTION
Usability study of pH strips for nasogastric tube placement

Results from an audit examining the viability of pH indicator strips for nasogastric tube placement found participants made up to 11.15% errors reading the strips and reported anxiety in their use.

Study results supported the development of new pH indicator strips that are more usable and less likely to be misread.³

DEVELOPED WITH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
aspHirate pH Indicator strip – advancing patient safety

CE (IVD) marked for testing human gastric aspirate for the assessment of correct nasogastric tube placement.

Confidence and reassurance
The accuracy of the aspHirate pH Indicator strips is supported with independent test data

aspHirate pH Indicator strips are tested and calibrated using pH buffers that are traceable to NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology).

• Easy to read at critical clinical decision values
• Accuracy supported with independent test data
• Set to read water at pH 7
• Unique scale for accurate documentation
• Unique single scale printed lengthwise – ease of use
• Pictorial instructions – ease of use
• Unique 2 colour match
• Desiccant lid.

For more information, please visit: avanos.co.uk/asphirate.

^{References: 1. NPSA. Reducing the harm caused by misplaced nasogastric feeding tubes in adults, children and infants. NPSA/2011/PSA002. 2011. 2. NNNG. Good Practice Guideline – Safe insertion of nasogastric (NG) feeding tubes in adults and ongoing care. 2016. 3. Borsci S, et al. PLoS ONE 2017; 12(11): e0189013. Usability study of pH strips for nasogastric tube placement. 4. NHS PSA. Nasogastric tube misplacement: continuing risk of death and severe harm. NHS/PSA/RE/2016/006. 2016. 5. Rowat AM, et al. BMJ Open Gastroenterol 2018;5:e000211.}

• Renapro® Shot … approved for EFFORT trial →
• ← ACBS Approval for HyFIBER