How User-Friendly is the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for NICU Staff Working with Neonates?

Confirming the placement of a neonate’s nasogastric (NG) tube is essential for proper use of this feeding device. Unfortunately, many placement testing methods are surprisingly difficult to use, even if you have medical experience. These methods can be challenging to conduct while also presenting readings that are difficult to interpret. 

The good news is that there are plenty of NG feeding tube placement tests that are not only highly accurate but user-friendly as well. One of the best examples is the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for the NICU, the benefits of which we’ll explain in the sections below. 

Is the RightSpotpH® SmallBore User-Friendly for NICU Staff?

Before proceeding with the rest of the information in this article, let’s answer the question that led you here. If you are looking for a user-friendly NG placement test, the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for NICU is one of the best options you can use. 

These devices are incredibly intuitive for NICU staff, and they provide quick and accurate results. In fact, this PH placement test may become your go-to option any time you need to confirm the placement of a feeding tube in a neonate. The rest of this article helps prove why that is the case. 

Why is NG Tube Placement Confirmation Important for Neonates?

While it may seem like this medical task is routine, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, here are three of the most important reasons why accurate NG tube placement tests are essential for neonatal care.

NG Tubes Are Incredibly Common for Hospitalized Children

The use of an NG tube for a hospitalized child is far from abnormal. In fact, NG tubes are among the most common ways to ensure a child receives the food, fluids, and medication they need during a hospital stay. Overall, about one-quarter of hospitalized children will require an NG tube during their stay. Of that amount, about 60% of those patients are in the NICU. 

NG Tube Misplacement Happens Often

The average person might assume that all hospitals have a high success rate when it comes to using an NG tube properly. However, many NG tubes are misplaced and therefore unsafe to use. Amazingly, some published studies reveal that up to 56% of NG tubes for pediatric and neonatal care do not end up in their intended location in the body. 

Using a Misplaced NG Tube is Unsafe

Our final reason for the importance of proper NG tube use in neonates is that using a misplaced NG tube is highly unsafe. Administering any materials via a misplaced tube can lead to many different complications. In extreme cases, using a misplaced feeding tube can be fatal. As such, learning how to test placement is one of the multiple necessary components of proper NG tube use. 

How to Use the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for the NICU

Stating that the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for the NICU is easy to use is not enough. Instead, it is important for you to understand the main steps in this process. The list below gives you a clearer idea of what is involved when using one of these devices for placement confirmation:

1. Collect necessary tools: For most NG tube placement tests, you’ll need gloves, an irrigation syringe, and your RightSpot device. 
2. Clean before testing: Before confirming the placement of an NG tube, ensure you clean your hands and all tools you’ll use during the process. 
3. Connect the pH test to the syringe: Connecting the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for NICU allows you to easily test any fluids that enter the syringe from the tube. 
4. Connect the syringe to the feeding tube: Attaching the syringe and the pH test allows you to withdraw stomach fluid via the tube and test its acidity. 
5. Collect stomach fluid: Pull the syringe’s plunger to remove stomach fluid. As it flows through the tube and into the syringe, it will contact the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for NICU, resulting in an instantly readable result. 
6. Read the pH test: The RightSpotpH® SmallBore for the NICU includes a color-coded system that activates when stomach fluid touches it. This system provides a simple reading that indicates the location of the tube. 
7. Respond to results accordingly: If the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for the NICU indicates the tube is in the proper location, proceed with NG tube use. If not, adjust the tube and perform the test again.

There are additional details to keep in mind while using the RightSpotpH® SmallBore in the NICU. However, the list above reveals that this testing method is easy to use whether you have medical experience or not. 

Why the RightSpotpH® SmallBore is the Best Test to Use for the NICU

Ease of use is just one of the many reasons why the RightSpotpH® SmallBore is the ideal testing device for any NICU staff member. Below is a list of reasons why you should consider using this product for NG tube placement testing:

1. Accuracy: One of the top reasons for choosing the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for NICU is that it is incredibly accurate. You can expect correct results each time you use this device to ensure you are using an NG tube the right way. 
2. Affordability: The RightSpotpH® SmallBore is affordable compared to many other testing methods. Over the long run, choosing the RightSpotpH® SmallBore will likely save you money. 
3. Easy-to-read results: The results that the RightSpotpH® SmallBore provides are incredibly clear. Rather than struggling to decipher placement testing information, this device allows you to quickly understand the location of an NG tube. 
4. Fast results: An excellent benefit of the RightSpotpH® SmallBore for NICU is that it provides results in a short time. You can proceed with care shortly after performing a placement test. 
5. No radiation: X-ray is one of the most common NG tube placement test methods. Unfortunately, these machines expose the body to radiation that is potentially harmful. By contrast, the RightSpotpH® SmallBore does not expose the body to any radiation. 

Get the Best NG Tube Placement for NICU Today

If you are a NICU staff member, it is essential to find an NG placement test that is accurate and easy to use. At RightBio Metrics, we are proud to provide the best NG tube placement tests on the market today. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free demo.