Nasogastric feeding in the community: safe and effective practice.

A small percentage of patients receiving enteral tube feeding in the community receive feed via a nasogastric tube. There are risks associated with this method if the correct procedures for monitoring tube displacement are not in place. Guidance for checking tube position has been provided by the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). Nurses caring for patients with nasogastric tube feeds need to be aware of how NPSA alerts impact on practice and the advice and support they may need to offer patients.