Did you know that in an Intensive Care Unit it has been reported that 30% ⁽¹⁾ of feeding tubes are inadvertently dislodged? This has been reported even more frequently in certain patient groups and hospital units ^(2,3). Dislodged feeding tubes can result in serious complications, such as delayed caloric intake, aspiration pneumonia and prolonged hospitalizations ⁽²⁾. Not only are these tubes critical to patient care; it may take 40 minutes for a skilled practitioner to place them blindly into the small bowel ⁽⁴⁾. Replacement of a feeding tube using fluoroscopy or endoscopy is even more costly and may require transport out of the Care Unit. In larger institutions, the sickest or most seriously injured patients often have nasojejunal feeding tubes placed intraoperatively, distal to the ligament of Treitz, making these tubes essentially irreplaceable without further surgery.

There are many brands of tape and adhesive products available to secure gastric tubes, however, tape’s effectiveness is largely reliant on the application technique. For the short term, the select tape can be effective if applied properly using an essential skin-prep swab. However, adhesive-based securing products vary in efficacy and reliability over time ⁽⁵⁾, making it wise to choose a product carefully and change it regularly.

We are offering free samples of the “TubeSAFE”: a new N.G. tube holder designed by healthcare professionals. The TubeSAFE’s unique, adhesive-free design can help to standardize long-term tube security and lower costs in the critical care setting. One patient group that used an adhesive-free alternative to secure their feeding tube said that it was more comfortable and less irritating ⁽⁶⁾.  You may want to use the TubeSAFE in addition to what you are using now to ensure that difficult to place tubes don’t come out. If you require further information, please contact us or visit our web site for the latest information.

Best Regards,

Your Tri-Anim representative.

Tel. 1-800-TRI-ANIM(874-2646) / http://www.tri-anim.com/

1. Ott L, Annis K, Hatton J, McClain M, Young B. Postpyloric enteral feeding costs for patients with severe head injury: blind placement, endoscopy, and PEG/J versus TPN. J Neurotrauma 1999;16:233-42.
2. Meer JA. Inadvertant dislodgement of nasoenteric feeding tubes: incidence and prevention. J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1987;11:187-9.
3. Metheny NA, Spies M, Eisenberg P. Frequency of nasoenteral tube displacement and associated risk factors. Res Nurs Health 1986;9:241-7.
4. Popovich MJ, Lockrem JD, Zivot JB. Nasal bridle revisited: an improvement in the technique to prevent unintentional removal of small-bore nasoenteric feeding tubes . Crit Care Med 1996;24:429-31.
5. Burns SM, Martin M, Robbins V, Friday T, Coffindaffer M, Burns SC, et al. Comparison of nasogastric tube securing method and tube type in medical intensive care patients. Am J Crit Care 1995;4:198-203.
6. Zweng TN, Hill BB, Strodel WE. An improved technique for securing nasoenteral feeding tubes. J Am Coll Surg 1996;183:268-70.

* Product prices can vary.
** Labour costs will vary depending on wages. Tape is more labour intensive however, more readily available.

TubeSAFE is considered less labour-intensive as skin preparation is not necessary.

*** Number of changes based on recommendations from ICU Nutritionist.