Pulmonary complications from nasoenteral feeding tube insertion in an intensive care unit: incidence and prevention.
We prospectively evaluated 71 nasoenteral feeding tube insertions in critically ill patients and found a 4% incidence of pulmonary complications. All pulmonary complications occurred in tracheally intubated patients. To prevent these complications, we developed an enteral feeding tube insertion technique using a 26-Fr red rubber catheter as an introducer for a 8-Fr feeding tube. This technique is easy to perform by hospital staff and well tolerated by patients. No pulmonary complications occurred in 31 subsequent feeding tube insertions.
Harris
M R
MR
Department of Nursing, Providence Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98124.
Huseby
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003422:Critical Care; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies