Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between a pulmonary aspiration group and a non-pulmonary aspiration group in glucose concentration of tracheal secretions by measuring time and feeding methods.
METHOD
The subjects were 36 ICU patients who were receiving formula via nasogastric tubes and had endotracheal tubes or tracheostomy tubes. Tracheal secretions were collected by connecting suction traps to a suction catheter in three different times(within 1 hour after feeding, between 1 to 2 hours after feeding, and between 2 to 3 hours after feeding) for 2 days, overall six times. Glucose concentration of tracheal secretions was measured with the glucometer(Accucheck II).
RESULTS
Glucose concentration of tracheal secretions increased in progression after feeding. The mean of specimens collected last(between two to three hours after feeding) was shown to be the highest value(M= 61.61 mg/dl) in the pulmonary aspiration group. Significantly(p=.000) more subjects(94.44%) in the pulmonary aspiration group received formula via a 50cc syringe than those in the non-pulmonary aspiration group(22.22%).
CONCLUSION
Critically ill patients may need more time for head-elevation after tube feeding to prevent pulmonary aspiration. In practice, enteral formula should not be given the patients via a 50cc syringe anymore, instead a feeding bag or infusion pump should be used to prevent pulmonary aspiration.

• Keywords: Enteral feeding; Pulmonary aspiration; Glucose concentration; Tracheal secretion