Feeding Tube Placement Verification Using Gastric pH Measurement

Abstract

The importance of nutrition in hospitalized patients cannot be underestimated. Proper nutrition is necessary for wound healing, recovery, reduction in morbidity, and consequent reductions in lengths of stay and mortality. Enteral nutrition, preferred over parenteral nutrition because of decreased bacterial translocation and reduced expense, is frequently delivered via a feeding tube. However, improper position of the feeding tube may result in pulmonary aspiration. Many of the methods currently employed in the verification of feeding tube placement are unreliable.