How Point-of-Care Testing Is Transforming Feeding Tube Verification

Verifying NG and OG tube placement shouldn’t come with delays, guesswork, or unnecessary risk. Point-of-care gastric pH testing changes the game by offering fast, reliable confirmation—right at the bedside. For many facilities, it’s now the preferred method for protecting patients and improving care efficiency.

Why Accurate Feeding Tube Placement Matters

A misplaced feeding tube can lead to serious complications, including aspiration pneumonia and, in some cases, fatal outcomes. Nutrition, medication, or fluids delivered to the lungs or airways can cause harm quickly—especially in high-risk patients.

Traditionally, tube placement was confirmed by X-ray. But imaging introduces delays, exposes patients to radiation, and can create workflow bottlenecks in urgent care settings. Auscultation—the “whoosh test”—is still used in some facilities but is widely discouraged due to its high rate of false positives.

Gastric pH: A Reliable, Real-Time Alternative

The stomach’s naturally acidic environment (typically pH 1–5.5) offers a clear, measurable way to confirm that a tube has reached its intended destination. When aspirate from the tube shows a pH within that range, you can be confident it’s positioned in the stomach—not the respiratory tract or esophagus.

At the point of care, this approach provides:

• Immediate verification during or after insertion
• Objective data for clinical decision-making
• A fast, non-radiographic option for first-line confirmation

Clinical Benefits of Point-of-Care pH Testing

Immediate Results

No waiting on radiology or interpretation—just fast, bedside confirmation when you need it most.

Zero Radiation Exposure

Safer for vulnerable patients, including neonates and those requiring frequent verifications.

Lower Costs

Reduces dependency on radiographic procedures, cutting costs tied to equipment, staff, and delays.

Fewer Delays

Supports earlier feeding, medication administration, and discharge by streamlining care decisions.

Greater Comfort and Confidence

Minimizes patient discomfort and gives clinicians immediate insight into tube placement.

RightSpotpH® Indicators: Built for Modern Clinical Workflows

The RightSpotpH® Indicator is a simple, FDA-cleared tool designed to verify NG/OG tube placement quickly and reliably at the bedside. Created by physicians in emergency medicine and gastroenterology, it’s engineered to solve one problem well: make tube placement safer and faster without adding complexity.

Key Features of the RightSpotpH® Indicator

• Rapid Results: Delivers immediate pH feedback during the insertion process
• High Accuracy: Specifically calibrated to detect the unique acidity levels of gastric aspirate
• Versatility: Compatible with both NG and OG tubes
• User-Friendly Design: Requires minimal training, making it accessible for various healthcare settings

RightSpotpH® Variants for Specialized Care

RightBio Metrics offers several versions of the RightSpotpH® Indicator to meet specific clinical needs:

RightSpotpH® ENFit Indicator

Designed with ENFit compatibility, this variant integrates seamlessly with modern feeding systems while maintaining the core benefits of rapid pH testing.

RightSpotpH® SmallBore Indicator

Specifically created for smaller feeding tubes (10Fr or less), this option is ideal for pediatric and neonatal patients. Its specialized design addresses the challenges of working with smaller tubes while providing the same reliable pH verification.

Point-of-Care Testing Across Healthcare Settings

The applications of point-of-care pH testing extend across various healthcare environments:

Emergency Departments
In time-critical situations, clinicians need answers fast. pH testing offers immediate feedback so treatment can begin without delay.

ICUs
Critically ill or intubated patients may not show symptoms of misplacement. Point-of-care testing reduces risk and eliminates the need for unnecessary transport to radiology.

NICUs and Pediatrics
For the smallest patients, radiation avoidance is crucial. The SmallBore Indicator offers safe, accurate verification for neonatal tubes without exposing infants to unnecessary imaging.

Home Care
Patients requiring long-term enteral support benefit from simple, bedside verification tools that can be used by trained caregivers—without returning to the hospital for confirmation.

Evidence-Based Approach to Patient Safety

Adopting pH testing as your first-line verification method can help prevent:

• Aspiration pneumonia
• Feeding delays
• Radiation exposure
• Excessive imaging costs

Hospitals that make the switch often report faster treatment initiation, fewer complications, and more efficient workflows. By verifying tube placement within seconds at the bedside, point-of-care testing supports better outcomes for patients and better use of staff time and resources.

Built by Physicians, Backed by Evidence

RightBio Metrics was founded by Drs. Paul and Robert Gilbert—physicians who experienced firsthand how dangerous and inefficient traditional tube verification methods could be. Since 2005, they’ve focused on one mission: reduce harm caused by misplaced, dislodged, or unverified NG/OG tubes.

The RightSpotpH® system reflects this commitment by delivering a verification method that’s simple, accurate, and aligned with real-world clinical needs.

See the RightSpotpH® Indicator in Action

Ready to reduce complications, lower costs, and improve bedside efficiency? Schedule a live demo to see how the RightSpotpH® Indicator works in real care settings—and how your facility can benefit from safer, faster tube verification.

Contact Us to Setup a Live Demo