QUESTION

Do you as the SLP drop NG feeds when finishing oral feeds and/or treatment sessions instead of the RN? Does your department or hospital have any guidelines for this?

ANSWER

It is understandable that our NICU nurses can get very busy these days with greater numbers of infants to care for, conflicting patient needs at the same time, and time sensitive interventions. While we are there to lend a hand to a change diaper prior to out treatment, warm the formula/milk etc., it sounds as if you are in a situation where what you are being asked to do is making you uncomfortable. Understandably so, from what you have told us. Our tendency to help out if asked is commendable but must be thoughtfully weighed for its risk-benefit ratio to the patient, the hospital, and of course, to us.

In the NICU, placing an NGT, and/or offering that remaining portion of a PO feeding which requires delivery via an NGT feeds are neither without potential risk for adverse events. NICU RNs are required to meet competencies to complete these medical interventions, and trained mentorship, give it is in their scope of practice. Adult RNs who “float” to NICU to help in crisis situations, require competencies as well.

These procedures also are, to my knowledge, not within the scope of practice of the SLP, either by ASHA standards nor by typical hospital job descriptions. Doing so, because of its high risk problem-prone nature in neonates (provoking emesis, provoking bradycardia and/or apnea, co-occurring EER event, incorrect placement  if “dropping NGT – by which I think you are meaning “placing an NGT”. Even delivering the remaining volume in an NGT that is indwelling may lead to an adverse unanticipated event and place the SLP at risk. Working outside our scope of practice may open us up to serious liability issues.

I suggest you take this question/situation to your rehab leader and request input from NICU leadership, and hospital Risk Management. Proactively considering every action we undertake, and its risk (for the infant, for you, for the hospital), is essential in the environment of neonatal intensive care.

I commend you for thoughtfully pursuing this request made to you.

I hope this is helpful.