1311 ‘Tubes’ and Catheter Positions in Neonates Transferred to a Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Over a 2 Year Period

Introduction Endotracheal tubes (ETT), Chest tubes (CT), Nasogastric tubes (NGT), umbilical artery and venous catheters (UAC, UVC), Long lines (LL) are crucial in the management of babies transferred and admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Optimal positions must be ascertained before transfer and on admission to avoid complications. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been any published data looking at admission positions of all these tubes and catheters. Aim To determine: positions of these tubes and lines on admission of babies transferred for intensive care to a tertiary NICU. any radiological and other complications that may have been associated with sub-optimally placement on admission. Methods Retrospective study 01/2010–12/2011 All babies transferred in Inclusion criteria: Admission X-ray done within 12 hrs Results 148 babies were admitted for tertiary neonatal care of which 127 met inclusion criteria. Patients were stratified as < 1 kg, 1–2 kg and >2 kg. Correctly positioned tubes were as follows: < 1 kg: 33% ETT, 81%NGT, 48% UAC 1–2 kg: 31% ETT, 100% NGT, 33%UAC >2kg: 54% ETT, 100% NGT, 31%UAC Abstract 1311 Figure 1 Graph of Position of Endotracheal Tube. Abstract 1311 Figure 2 Graphs of Position OF UAC, UVC, LongLine, NGT Conclusion Infants less than 1 kg were at higher risk of suboptimally positioned tubes and lines. Position prior to transfer and on admission must be ascertained to minimise complications.