# Home nasogastric tube program for NICU infants: a seven year retrospective outcome analysis

## TL;DR

This study shows that a home nasogastric feeding program for NICU infants is safe, effective, and reduces hospital costs.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the safety and cost-effectiveness of a home NG feeding program for NICU infants.

## Key findings

- No emergency visits were related to feeding tube issues or equipment malfunctions.
- 93% of infants had no feeding problems after the follow-up period.
- The program avoided 556 hospitalization days, leading to cost savings.

## Abstract

The goal of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of a Home Nasogastric Program for infants admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

We performed a retrospective chart review of infants discharged from a Level III NICU to a Home Nasogastric (HNG) follow-up clinic from December 2014-February 2022. Data was recorded for two years post discharge from the NICU.

83 infants were included in this study. There were no emergency department visits related to feeding tube dysfunction or nasogastric (NG) tube equipment malfunctions. The number of days the NG tube was used median (IQR): 3 (2–10). Seventy-seven (93%) infants had no documented feeding problems at the end of the follow-up period. We estimate 556 hospitalization days avoided resulting in cost savings.

The Home NG program was safe and effective. This program decreased length of NICU stay and health care associated costs.