Gastric Ultrasound in Tube Fed Intubated Patients

Utility of POC Gastric Ultrasound in Confirming Stomach is Empty in Intubated Patients Fed Gastrically (NG) Versus Transpylorically (NJ) to Ensure Low Risk of Aspiration.

This study will use point of care (POC) gastric ultrasound to confirm that nasojejunal tube (NJ) feeds result in minimal to no gastric content and therefore are low risk for aspiration and should be allowed at the very least to decrease the time that enteral feeds need to be held prior to a procedure or if they need to be held at all. This would allow critically ill children to receive the nutrition that they need to heal for longer periods of time. Using ultrasound would also potentially eliminate the need for exposure to x-rays to confirm tube placement. Most ICUs have a POC ultrasound machine so this would be any easy tool to access to improve patient care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• all PICU patients intubated < 7 days that are receiving NJ or NG feeds

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients that cannot be moved
• patients with significant GI conditions affecting motility
• patients intubated for more than seven days