A review of nasogastric tube management in children 2: position, placement error and hydration

This second of two papers examines two major themes drawn from a review of the literature relating to nasogastric tube (NGT) use in children: confirmation of tube position and associated placement errors and use of the nasogastric tube for rehydration in cases of acute gastroenteritis. The NGT has been highlighted as a pertinent issue by several reports in recent years of unnecessary deaths in infants, children and adults. These culminated in February 2005 in the issuing of a high priority patient safety alert by the UK’s National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA, 2005a). This was accompanied by a range of specific guidance relating to all three patient groups. As well as providing a route for enteral feeding (the subject of part 1 of this series), the NGT has been reported as a route to provide oral hydration for children with acute gastroenteritis, and to administer medication. This review examines the research evidence relating to these themes and draws from it some recommendations for practice.