3.2. Obtaining an aspirate from the nasogastric tube
In 48.6% (n = 161) intubations an aspirate could be obtained immediately. The additional measures used (including the aspiration of air into the tube, side-positioning of the patient and re-aspiration after an hour) increased the success rate by 33.5% leading to an aspirate being obtained in 81.6% (n = 270) of intubations