HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Thomas, B. W. Articles by Falcone, R. E. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Thomas, B. W. Articles by Falcone, R. E.

Confirmation of Nasogastric Tube Placement by Colorimetric Indicator Detection of Carbon Dioxide: A Preliminary Report

Grant Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio

Address reprint requests to: Robert E. Falcone, MD, Regional Trauma Services, Grant Medical Center, 393 East Town Street, Suite 102, Columbus, OH 43215

Background: Inadvertent insertion of nasogastric tubes into the trachea and distal airways is reported to range from 0.3% to 15% of insertions. Critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients are at a higher risk for such complications, some of which can be fatal.

Objective: This preliminary prospective clinical investigation was designed to determine whether a colorimetric carbon dioxide (CO₂) indicator device (Easy-Cap^TM, Nellcor, Inc., Hayward, CA) attached to the proximal end of a small bore feeding tube (FT) would reliably discriminate between those tubes passed into the airways and those passed into the alimentary tract.

Methods: Ten critically ill, mechanically ventilated trauma patients requiring a FT insertion were evaluated. An Easy-Cap^TM device was adapted to the proximal port of each FT. Each patient had one tube inserted per the nasogastric route and then another through the endotracheal tube while the Easy-Cap^TM was observed for color changes consistent with the presence of CO₂.

Results: All transtracheal insertions showed immediate and unambiguous color changes consistent with the presence of CO₂. None of the nasogastric insertions resulted in indicator color changes and all were confirmed with radiography (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%, accuracy 100%).

Conclusions: This preliminary report suggests colorimetric CO₂ detection accurately and reliably identifies transtracheal FT insertion.

Key words: Capnometry, transtracheal feeding tube insertion

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Roberts, P. Echeverria, and S. A. Gabriel Devices and Techniques for Bedside Enteral Feeding Tube Placement Nutr Clin Pract, August 1, 2007; 22(4): 412 - 420. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. M. Burns, R. Carpenter, C. Blevins, S. Bragg, M. Marshall, L. Browne, M. Perkins, R. Bagby, K. Blackstone, and J. D. Truwit Detection of Inadvertent Airway Intubation During Gastric Tube Insertion: Capnography Versus a Colorimetric Carbon Dioxide Detector Am. J. Crit. Care., March 1, 2006; 15(2): 188 - 195. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. C. Ellett, J. M.B. Croffie, M. D. Cohen, and S. M. Perkins Gastric Tube Placement in Young Children Clin Nurs Res, August 1, 2005; 14(3): 238 - 252. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. W. Howes, E. S. Shelley, and W. Pickett Colorimetric carbon dioxide detector to determine accidental tracheal feeding tube placement: [Un detecteur colorimetrique de gaz carbonique pour determiner la mise en place endotracheale accidentelle d'un tube d'alimentation] Can J Anesth, April 1, 2005; 52(4): 428 - 432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. A. Metheny and K. L. Meert Monitoring Feeding Tube Placement Nutr Clin Pract, October 1, 2004; 19(5): 487 - 495. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]