The use of the Cortrak Enteral Access System™ for post-pyloric (PP) feeding tube placement in a Burns Intensive Care Unit.
BACKGROUND
50% of critically ill patients fail to reach caloric targets with NG feeding. PP feeding may enhance caloric intake. PP feeding can be continued throughout theatre in patients with a secure airway. Blind PP tube placement is difficult. CEAS has been developed to assist tube placement and eliminate check X-rays of tube position.


METHODS
All BITU patients with CEAS PP feeding tube placement were identified. Notes and X-rays were reviewed. Tube position, calorie deficit and time off feed were recorded.


RESULTS
44 tubes were placed in 21 patients using CEAS. 84% were PP, 16% NG. Position correlated to X-ray findings in 86%. In 16% position was NG on CEAS but was PP on X-ray. 10 patients required both CXR and AXR to confirm position, the remainder required CXR only. Time off feed varied from 0-24 h (mean 7.4 h). Calorie deficit ranged from 0-2465 kCal (mean 858 kCal). Average wait for X-ray was 3.4h. If X-ray wait was eliminated calorie deficit would be reduced by 45% to 393 kCal.


CONCLUSIONS
The Cortrak system is safe and effective on BITU. It reduces calorie deficit, reduces X-ray exposure and is cost effective. We recommend its use on BITU.
St Andrew's Centre for Burns, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 7ET, UK. sgorse@doctors.org.uk
S J
SJ
Hemington-Gorse
N N
NN
Sheppard
R
R
Martin
O
O
Shelley
B
B
Philp
P
P
Dziewulski
D002056:Burns / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D003422:Critical Care; D002149:Energy Intake; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans