Methods of checking tube position
The method of checking tube position in community
settings will depend on the advice given by the health
professional inserting the tube, following patient assessment,
to ascertain their ability to undertake relevant checks (NPSA,
2005).
For some, the daily checking of pH of gastric aspirate will
become part of their daily routine but for others monitoring
the position of the tube at the nose may be a more reasonable
means of checking tube displacement. A full multidisciplinary
risk assessment should be undertaken while in hospital
and be clearly documented in the patient notes (NPSA,
2011). The plan of care should then accompany the patient
to their community setting and presented to community
health professionals, who will be involved in the care of the
nasogastric tube, to act as a basis for ongoing assessment.