The NOVEL Project was launched in 2012 to determine the best practices for verifying nasogastric (NG) feeding tube location in pediatrics. NG tube misplacement can cause serious harm and/or death to patients. X-rays can be used to verify proper tube placement, but with pediatric patients, NG tubes can be removed several times per day. The use of X-rays to verify every tube placement can overexpose these patients to radiation. This task force continues to produce guidance on this important issue.
NOVEL Task Force Activities
- Works with biomedical engineers and industry to develop non-radiologic method(s) to verify NG tube placement and to allow for re-verification of placement
- Collaborates with specialty nursing organizations to determine best practices for determining NG tube location working with existing technology and accepted procedures such as pH measurements
- Fosters the discovery of new knowledge and science and its application to the field of nutrition support therapy
- Disseminates knowledge that improves clinical practice pertaining to NG tube placement verification
- Advocates on behalf of the field of nutrition support to improve patient outcomes and clinical practice
- Promotes consistency of practice among individual nurses and pediatric acute care centers
To learn more about the NOVEL project