The feeding tube bridle: one inexpensive, safe, and effective method to prevent inadvertent feeding tube dislodgement.
Nasally placed feeding tubes are heavily relied on in healthcare. Inadvertent tube removal not only poses safety hazards and discomfort for the patient, but also causes strain on valuable healthcare resources. Because use of restraints can agitate patients, increase safety hazards, and create a sense of depersonalization, alternative methods to prevent inadvertent tube removal are desirable. This article describes a feeding tube bridle constructed with supplies that are inexpensive and readily available to most patient care units. This method has been successfully utilized for patients at significant risk for self-initiated feeding tube removal in one Midwestern facility for many years without adverse effects. The method of bridling feeding tubes described here is effective, safe, and relatively comfortable as well as minimally noticeable to the patient and others.
Center for Care Management, Sanford USD Medical Center, 1305 West 18th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57117, USA. carol.mcginnis@sanfordhealth.org
Carol
C
McGinnis
D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012449:Safety