Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2005

Identifier

PMCID: PMC1726742 DOI: 10.1136/emj.2004.015602

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine practice and attitudes of emergency physicians regarding procedural anaesthesia for nasogastric tube insertion (NGT).

METHODS: Survey of resident/attending emergency physicians working in a tertiary care medical centre.

RESULTS: Of 68 physicians, 46 responded: 98% believed that awake and alert patients find NGT insertion uncomfortable/painful; 93% used measures to reduce this, most commonly lubricant gel, topical anaesthetic spray, lidocaine gel, and distraction/use of a child life worker; 28% believed these provided adequate pain control and 37% believed they were inadequate. Topical anaesthetic spray, lidocaine gel, and nebulised/atomised anaesthetics were believed the most practical to administer and 44% actually used these. Nebulised/atomised anaesthetics, systemic anxiolytics, and topical anaesthetic spray were believed the most effective at pain control but only 24% actually used these. While 39% of respondents were satisfied with their current practice, 46% were dissatisfied: 91% would change their practice if new literature were to show a convenient way to effectively reduce this pain.

CONCLUSIONS: Emergency physicians do not actually use the measures they believe are most practical/most effective at reducing the pain associated with NGT insertion. Thus, there may be a barrier to the use of these measures. Improvement in procedural anaesthesia for NGT insertion in emergency departments is needed and desired by emergency physicians.

Journal Title

Emergency medicine journal : EMJ

Volume

22

Issue

4

First Page

243

Last Page

245

MeSH Keywords

Administration, Topical; Anesthesia; Anesthetics; Attitude of Health Personnel; Clinical Competence; Emergencies; Emergency Medicine; Gels; Humans; Intubation, Gastrointestinal; Lidocaine; Pain

Keywords

ER doctors; Nasogastric Tube; NG tube

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