Small-bore feeding tubes placed with an electromagnetic imaging device leads to cost avoidance and decreased time to initiation of enteral nutrition

Michaelann Hahn, Laura Byham-Gray, Hamed Samavat, Susan Roberts, Rebecca Brody

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The Cortrak Enteral Access System (CEAS) was previously approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in lieu of radiographic confirmation imaging for feeding tubes placed by trained clinicians. Following an institutional protocol change in 2016, our registered dietitians had the option to forgo radiographic confirmation imaging for tubes placed using the CEAS. Our research aimed to determine the difference in the number of radiographic confirmation images for feeding tubes placed using the CEAS between preprotocol and postprotocol environments and the associated cost avoidance after the institutional policy change. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 506 tube placements (n = 253 per protocol environment) in adult patients with diverse diagnoses admitted to various in-patient care units. Results: There was a significant reduction in the mean number of radiographic images per tube placement (preprotocol = 1.10 [95% CI, 1.05–1.15]; postprotocol = 0.36 [95% CI, 0.30–0.41]; P < 0.001), leading to a cost avoidance of $67,282.80 for the 253 tube placements and a potential cost avoidance of $279,236 over the 5-year postprotocol environment. Additionally, the mean time to initiation of enteral nutrition was significantly reduced by 2.65 h in the postprotocol environment (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that using the CEAS can reduce the number of radiographic images, provide cost avoidance, and improve nutrition outcomes. However, updated 2022 FDA regulatory changes to the use of the CEAS for tube confirmation lead to an uncertain future for this practice because of safety concerns.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1324-1333
Number of pages10
JournalNutrition in Clinical Practice
Volume38
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

Keywords

  • enteral nutrition
  • feeding tube placement
  • nutrition support
  • outcomes
  • patient safety
  • x-rays

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