THE USE OF A FOOTBALL HELMET TO SECURE A NASOGASTRIC TUBE

We describe the case of a 83-yr-old diabetic woman who, during convale scence for treatment of hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma, require d nasogastric intubation for enteral feeding. Her course was complicat ed by delirium during which time she repeatedly removed the nasogastri c tube. A football helmet was used to secure the feeding tube and prev ent its premature removal. Thereafter nasogastric feeding was uncompli cated. We recommend the use of a football helmet in patients with deli rium who repeatedly remove their nasogastric tubes.