Work

Comparing methods of determining insertion length for placing gastric tubes in children 1 month to 17 years of age

Year: 2011

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose was to compare three methods of predicting the gastric tube insertion length in children 1 month to 17 years of age: age-related, height-based (ARHB); nose-ear-xiphoid (NEX); and nose-ear-mid-umbilicus (NEMU). DESIGN AND METHODS: The design was a randomized controlled trial. Children were randomly assigned to the ARHB, NEX, or NEMU groups. Tubes placed high were considered to be misplaced. RESULTS: There were significant differences in percentages of correctly placed tubes, with ARHB and NEMU being more accurate than NEX. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: NEX should no longer be used as a gastric tube insertion-length predictor. Either ARHB or NEMU should be used.

Source: Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing

DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2011.00302.x

Authors: Marsha L. Cirgin Ellett, Mervyn D. Cohen, Susan M. Perkins, Joseph M. B. Croffie, Kathleen A. Lane, Joan K. Austin