Nasogastric tubes. 1: Insertion technique and confirming the correct position.

This is the first in a two-part unit on nasogastric tube management. It discusses the indications, patient preparation, insertion technique and various methods of confirming the tube's position. According to the National Patient Safety Agency, 11 deaths and one case of serious harm occurred due to misplaced nasogastric feeding tubes over a two-year period. It is therefore vital for staff inserting these tubes to know both the correct insertion methods and the procedure for verifying their correct intragastric positioning.