Frequency of nasoenteral tube displacement and associated risk factors.

A pilot study was conducted to describe the frequency with which spontaneous tube displacement occurred in 105 tube-fed patients followed on a prospective basis. In addition, risk factors thought to be associated with tube displacement were studied. Since only about one-third of the tubes were monitored by followup radiographs, the actual occurrence of tube displacement is unknown. On those days when tube position was documented, a comparison of risk factors for spontaneous tube displacement was made with chi-square statistics. Two risk factors, coughing and decreased level of consciousness, were found to occur with significantly greater frequency in patients with displaced weighted nasogastric tubes, while coughing, tracheal suctioning, and upper airway intubation were significant in the dislodgement of unweighted nasointestinal tubes. None of the risk factors were significant in patients with weighted nasointestinal tubes.