The bridle: path to improved enteral nutrition efficiency

Nasogastric Bridles are Associated with Improved Tube-Related Outcomes in Children

OBJECTIVE

To compare tube-related outcomes in children with standard tape versus nasal bridle securement of nasogastric tubes (NGTs).

STUDY DESIGN

Single-center, retrospective, correlational study of outcomes from the time of NGT placement until full oral feeds or durable-tube placement. Outcomes of interest included NGT dislodgements, length of stay, emergency department (ED) encounters, radiographic exposures, and adverse skin outcomes. Negative binomial regression and logistic regression were used to analyze differences between groups.

RESULTS

582 children had NGTs secured traditionally [43% female; age at therapy initiation 2.6 months (SD 8.1)] and 173 received nasal bridles [55.5% female; age at therapy initiation 8.4 months (SD 11.8)]. Children with bridled NGTs were 16.67 times less likely to experience ≥1 dislodgement (OR=0.06, 95% CI 0.04, 0.09); 2.5 times less likely to have one more ED visit (OR=0.4, 95% CI 0.19, 0.82), and 4.76 times less likely to require one more radiographic exposure (OR=0.21, 95% CI 0.14, 0.33) than their non-bridled NGT counterparts (all p values <0.02). The mean initial hospital length of stay was 28 and 54 days in the bridled and standard care group respectively (p<0.001). Overall, 62.4% children with bridled NGTs and 77.1% children with unbridled NGTs progressed to full oral feedings and required no further therapy (p<0.001). Adverse skin outcomes were rare in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Children with bridled NGTs experienced fewer dislodgements, days in the hospital, ED encounters, and radiographic exposures than children with traditionally secured NGTs. The majority of children in both groups progressed to full oral feedings. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Reining in Nasogastric Tubes: Implementation of a Pediatric Bridle Program

Nasogastric tubes (NG) used for enteral nutrition support of medically complex children (MCC) are often inadvertently removed, risking frequent replacements. Bridles have been shown to provide a safe securement method for NGs in adult patients, but are not widely used in pediatrics. Furthermore, nutritional management of MCC is often fragmented. We established a pediatric NG bridle program to bridge the gap amongst disciplines and improve patient outcomes. In January 2018, a multidisciplinary work group involving nurses, physicians, clinical dietitians, advanced practice providers, and speech-language pathologists was established to develop criteria for patient referral and policies, procedures, and order sets for nutritional management of MCC children with bridled NG tubes. Formal teaching sessions engaged clinicians and administrators to participate in building a successful program. Relevant outcomes of interest are tracked continuously for process performance improvement measures and are reviewed quarterly by the core work group. Patient enrollment began in May 2018 and to date, 244 patients have been enrolled. Adhering to strict enrollment criteria, competency modules and review of patient status provided a solid core for the program and process review. Successful implementation of an NG Bridle program was achieved. Outcomes of interest continue to be monitored for process improvement. Balancing measures are also being tracked for potential downstream effects.

Efficacy of commercial nasal bridle use in reducing feeding tube dislodgements in pediatric patients following double stage laryngotracheoplasty

INTRODUCTION

Maintaining placement of the nasogastric feeding tube (NGT) is imperative in the double stage laryngotracheoplasty (dsLTP) patient because of concerns for adequate nutrition and hydration in the postoperative period. Additionally, multiple reinsertions due to displacement potentiate surgical morbidities. The purpose of this study was to compare NGT dislodgment rates in children with and without a commercial nasal bridle following a dsLTP surgical procedure and to determine if the use of a commercial nasal bridle decreases accidental tube dislodgements.

METHODS

Medical records of pediatric patients with NGT insertion for dsLTP between Jan 1, 2012 and June 15, 2018 were reviewed for nasal bridle use, demographics, feeding tube and bridle complications, x-rays to check NGT placement, length of stay (LOS), length of bridle use and accidental feeding tube dislodgements.

RESULTS

A total of 67 patients (34 unbridled and 33 bridled) received an NGT after dsLTP. No differences in demographics were noted, except the bridled group was older (median age 6.5 [IQR: 3.7, 14.3] than the unbridled group (median age 3.2 [IQR: 2.2, 6.8], p = 0.05). There were 24 episodes of NGT dislodgement in 16 patients in the unbridled group and zero displacements in the bridled patients resulting in an incidence of 9.4 [95%CI: 6.0, 14.0] and 0.0 [95%CI: 0.0, 1.9] pullouts per 100 days for unbridled versus bridled patients, respectively. Those with displacement had significantly more x-rays to check placement (p = 0.0004) and LOS was longer (p = 0.06) with a mean (SD) of 10.9 (7.0) vs. no displacement 7.0 (3.6) days. Of those bridled, 67% were discharged with a bridle and 86% returned with the NGT and bridle in place (mean bridle placement of *** ± days) at the time of stent removal. No feeding tube or bridle complications were reported for either group.

CONCLUSION

The commercial nasal bridle significantly reduced NGT displacements without complication in the examined pediatric sample s/p dsLTP. Bridle use was associated with decreased radiology exposure and LOS and was successfully used in the outpatient setting.

Nasal bridles for securing nasoenteric tubes: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Nasoenteric feeding tubes may easily become dislodged due to patient mental status, transfers, or positional changes. Nasal bridles were introduced to provide a better, more reliable system to secure these tubes. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of nasal bridles compared with the traditional method of adhesive tape alone in securing enteral feeding tubes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multiple databases were searched (October 2013). All studies that evaluated the use of nasal bridles in adult patients were included in the analysis. Meta-analysis for the outcomes from use of a nasal bridle vs the more traditional method of adhesive tape alone for securing nasoenteric tubes was analyzed by calculating pooled estimates of dislodgement, skin complications, and sinusitis. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1.

RESULTS

Six studies (n = 594) met the inclusion criteria. Use of a nasal bridle for securing enteral tubes resulted in a statistically significant reduction in tube dislodgement compared with traditional adhesive tape alone (odds ratio [OR], 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.10–0.27; P < .01). The use of nasal bridles was associated with a higher rate of skin complications compared with traditional adhesive tape (OR, 4.27; 95% CI, 1.79–10.23; P < .01). Incidence of sinusitis was no different between the 2 groups (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.03–2.28; P = .22).

CONCLUSION

Nasal bridles appear to be more effective at securing nasoenteric tubes and preventing dislodgement than traditional use of tape alone.