Confirmation of Safe Nasogastric Tube Placement: The Radiology Department’s Duties Closed Cycle Audit

Abstract

The NPSA issued a patient safety alert (NPSA/2011/ PSA002) and new guidelines regarding the confirmation of safe nasogastric feeding tube placement. Between September 2005 and March 2010. There were 21 deaths and 79 cases of harm attributed to the incorrect placement of nasogastric tubes in the UK. In the NPSA report chest radiograph misinterpretation was attributed to 12 of the 21 deaths and 45 of 100 incidents. • Feeding through misplaced nasogastric tube (NGT) is a ‘Never Event’. • Associated complications: pneumonia, empyema, pneumothorax, vascular injury Aim: To evaluate the radiology department’s adherence to the national Patient Safety Agency NPSA guidelines published in 2011. We aim at 100% compliance.