Confirming Nasogastric Tube Position in the Emergency Department pH Testing Is Reliable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether pH testing is an accurate method of confirming nasogastric tube (NGT) position in children with and without gastroenteritis in the emergency department. METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study of NGT insertions was conducted at a tertiary pediatric emergency department, during a 9-month period in 2006. We evaluated methods of NGT position confirmation, pH of nasogastric aspirates from patients with and without gastroenteritis, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 404 patients were enrolled. For 393 patients (97.3%), NGT aspirates could be obtained to assess pH. Of these patients, 294 (74.8%) had a diagnosis of gastroenteriti..