Colorimetric carbon dioxide detector to determine accidental tracheal feeding tube placement.

Purpose: To determine the accuracy of colorimetric CO2 detection compared to the reference standard two-step radiological confirmation of feeding tube position.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted with patients presenting to a 21-bed medical-surgical intensive care unit. An adapter was developed using an endotracheal tube adapter to connect a colorimetric CO2 detector to a feeding tube in an airtight manner.