Enhancing nasogastric tube insertion skill performance by using updated checklist among nursing students

Background

Nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion is one of the most commonly performed procedures for critically ill patients through the nostril or mouth into the stomach, which is indicated for multiple reasons.

Objective

This study is, therefore, aimed to enhance the NGT insertion skill performance of third-year nursing students using the updated checklist, 2021.

Method

A facility-based pre-post intervention study was conducted among third-year nursing students of the School of Nursing, Jimma University. An updated checklist and intervention package were used among 26 randomly selected nursing students. The collected data was entered into EpiData version 3.1, EpiData Association, Denmark and exported to SPSS version 23, IBM Corp, Armonk, NewYork for analysis. Descriptive statistics were made for each item and Paired T-test analysis was conducted to summarize the findings.

Result

The highest NGT skill insertion performance score from 40% before the intervention was 35; however, after the intervention, the score increased to 40.3. Their mean score in NGT skill performance was increased by 11 after the intervention of implementing the intervention package using the updated checklist from 26.5 ±5 0.3 the pre-intervention to 37.8 ±5 1.7 post-intervention. The finding indicated that the improvement was statistically significant at p < 0.001.

Conclusion

Implementing an intervention package and employing an updated NGT insertion checklist improved the performance of third-year nursing students' NGT insertion skills by an average of 11 points compared to their pre-test scores. A large-scale control randomized trial study was recommended to control for the effects of confounding factors on the implementation of intervention packages.

Placement of Nasogastric Feeding Tube and Postinsertion Care Review

Insertion and postinsertion care of enteral nasogastric feeding tubes are common procedures in the United States, with more than 1.2 million temporary nasogastric feeding tubes inserted annually. Although there are some evidence-based practice guidelines and recommendations for care of these tubes, variation in practice still exists. Additional research is needed to determine the best methodology for insertion and confirmation of nasogastric feeding tubes. Routine competency and training on feeding tube insertion, enteral nutrition, and postinsertion care is crucial to prevent patient safety events. Variable results have been reported with different technologies; however, radiographic confirmation remains the criterion standard. It is important that health care institutions develop standardized procedures for insertion and confirmation on the basis of evidence-based practices to minimize risks and complications from temporary nasogastric feeding tubes.

Nasogastric Tube Placement: A Cross-Comparison of Verification Methods Used in Pennsylvania Hospitals and How They Align With Guidelines

Nasogastric tubes (NGTs) are used as an alternative approach to deliver nutrition and medications, or a method to remove stomach contents. Insertion of these tubes is considered a simple procedure; however, wrong placement or dislodged tubes can lead to patient harm and possibly death. The risk of harm and death increases when misplaced or dislodged tubes are not identified prior to using them. We queried the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System for events that occurred between January 1, 2017, and June 30, 2020. We analyzed those reports that provided supplemental information describing NGT placement verification methods to determine how these activities aligned with NGT guidelines. The use of X-rays and pH aspirate, guideline-approved verification methods, were identified in 90.8% (544 of 599) of the reports. In 9.2% (55 of 599) of the reports, the use of non-recommended verification methods (e.g., insertion of air bolus/auscultation, were identified). Reports indicated that patients aged less than one year old experienced a higher percentage of non-recommended verification methods being used when compared to all other patients. Interviews with staff at three healthcare facilities discussed their approach to verifying NGT placement. Risk reduction strategies comprise using the guideline recommendations to verify NGT placement and avoiding the use of non-recommended verification methods.