Mechanical adverse events and gastrointestinal complications associated with the use of nasogastric and nasoenteric catheters during hospitalization

Abstract

Objective: to assess the incidence of mechanical adverse events and gastrointestinal complications related to the use of nasogastric and nasoenteric catheters during hospitalization of adults and elderly. Methods: a prospective observational study involving hospitalized adults and elderly, which the data collection was performed using intermittent direct observation, interviews and medical records. The Mann-Whitney test, chi-square test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient (p < 0.05) were used for inferential analysis. Results: a total of 123 patients were followed up, with 201 catheters assessed (55.22% nasoenteric and 44.78% nasogastric). The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 106 days, with a median of 8 days [P25: 4 days; P75: 15 days]. Throughout the time 351 incidents were identified during the use of catheters, of which 135 were mechanical adverse events and 216 were gastrointestinal complications. The median number of incidents per patient was 1 [P25: 0 incidents; P75: 3 incidents]. The predominant mechanical adverse event was inadvertent removal in both catheterizations. Nausea/emesis and diarrhea were the most frequent gastrointestinal complications in nasogastric and nasoenteric catheterization, respectively. Conclusion: the incidence of mechanical adverse events and gastrointestinal complications is high in patients using nasogastric and nasoenteric catheters, demanding the urgent need to implement prevention protocols.