Given the evidence above, what are the recommendations for NG tube use?
SCOAP surgeons are aiming to reduce the use of NGTs among non-ventilated post-op patients. Avoiding a NGT makes it easier to begin oral feedings earlier in the perioperative period, allows patients to ambulate earlier and may decrease the risk of post-operative complications. As you can see above there is also an abundance of Class 1 evidence to support this approach. What strategies have worked at other hospitals to decrease NG use? Some SCOAP hospitals have added the step of NG tube removal in their Surgical Checklist (to make sure that a tube placed by the anesthesia team does not remain in the postoperative period and to raise awareness of the issue). Others have shared their SCOAP data with surgeons who have a high rate of routine NG tube use to show how their practice compares to others throughout the state. Often the conversation links their use of NGTs to longer length of stays. It is also helpful to work closely with anesthesia providers, include NG tube removal in post-operat
