Bard PreVent Nasogastric Sump Tube with Anti-Reflux Filter

By C.R. Bard / BD  |  FSA/HSA Eligible  |  Sterile, Single-Use

Patented PreVent 2-Way Anti-Reflux Filter — Exclusive to Bard NG System  |  Prevents Secretion Reflux from Vent Lumen  |  Visual Early Warning Before Leakage  |  Allows Air In & Gas Out for Proper Sumping  |  Dual-Lumen & Radiopaque  |  48" PVC  |  Depth Markers at 18", 22", 26", 30"  |  12FR–18FR  |  Each or Box of 50

The Bard PreVent Nasogastric Sump Tube is the only NG sump tube available with the patented PreVent Anti-Reflux Filter — a critical safety and early-warning feature that addresses one of the most common clinical problems with standard sump tubes. In a standard NG sump tube, the vent lumen pig-tail is open to air: when the main suction lumen becomes clogged or suction is interrupted, gastric secretions reflux up through the vent lumen and discharge at the pig-tail, exposing clinical staff to gastric contents and creating a soiling event with no advance warning. The PreVent filter prevents this by acting as a 2-way gateway: it allows ambient air to enter the vent lumen for proper sumping and allows stomach gas to escape for gastric decompression, while physically preventing gastric secretions from exiting through the vent port. When secretions do reflux into the vent lumen — the early sign that the main suction lumen may be clogged — they are visible in the clear PreVent filter housing, giving the clinician a visual alert before any leakage occurs. 48-inch PVC tube. Dual-lumen design. Radiopaque stripe for X-ray visualization. Permanent depth markers at 18", 22", 26", and 30" from the distal tip for insertion confirmation. Without stylet. Sterile, single-use. 4 French sizes: 12FR, 14FR, 16FR, 18FR. Each or box of 50. FSA/HSA eligible. By C.R. Bard / BD.

Available Sizes

Specifications

Key Features

• PreVent Anti-Reflux Filter — patented, exclusive to Bard NG system — the PreVent filter attaches to the vent lumen pig-tail port of the sump tube; it is a 2-way filter that simultaneously allows air to enter the vent lumen (for proper sumping to prevent mucosal suction injury) and allows accumulated stomach gas to escape (for gastric decompression), while preventing gastric secretions from exiting through the vent port under any suction failure or clogging condition; no other NG tube system currently offers this filter
• Visual early warning before leakage occurs — the clear PreVent filter housing is visible to the clinical staff: when the main suction lumen becomes clogged or inadequately drained and secretions begin to reflux into the vent lumen, those secretions are seen accumulating in the filter housing before they exit; this provides an actionable early alert — suction lumen patency can be checked, the tube repositioned, or irrigation performed to clear the obstruction before any exposure event; in standard sump tubes, the first indication of clogging is often the uncontrolled discharge of secretions at the pig-tail, at which point containment is reactive rather than proactive
• Dual-lumen sump design — prevents mucosal suction injury — the main lumen handles suction drainage of gastric contents; the vent lumen allows ambient air to enter the suction zone at the distal tip, preventing the creation of a sustained vacuum that would pull gastric mucosa directly into the suction holes (a mechanism that causes mucosal ulceration and bleeding in single-lumen suction tubes under sustained negative pressure); the sump design is the clinical standard for gastric decompression via nasogastric tube
• Radiopaque stripe — allows confirmation of tube position via abdominal X-ray after insertion; radiographic position confirmation is the gold-standard method for verifying correct gastric placement of an NG tube before initiating feeding or administering medications
• Depth markers at 18", 22", 26", and 30" — permanent markings at four reference points from the distal tip help the clinician measure and confirm correct insertion depth; insertion depth is estimated based on the nose-ear-xiphoid (NEX) measurement or other patient-specific measurements; the depth markers provide a visual reference at the nares during insertion to confirm the tube has been advanced to the estimated correct depth
• 48-inch length — provides adequate length for nasogastric placement in adult patients; passes through the nose, nasopharynx, esophagus, and into the stomach with sufficient length for proper gastric tip positioning and for external fixation at the nose
• Box of 50 available — the box quantity is economical for hospitals, ICUs, and acute care facilities where NG tube use is high-volume and consistent stock is required
• Without stylet | Sterile, single-use | PVC | FSA/HSA eligible | By C.R. Bard / BD

Clinical FAQs

What is a sump tube and how does it differ from a standard NG feeding tube?

A nasogastric (NG) tube is a tube inserted through the nostril, passed down the nasopharynx and esophagus, and positioned with its distal tip in the stomach. NG tubes serve multiple clinical purposes depending on the tube type. A standard NG feeding tube is a single-lumen soft tube (typically polyurethane or silicone, 8–12FR) designed to deliver enteral formula, medications, and fluids directly to the stomach; it is not designed for suction decompression. A sump tube is a larger (12–18FR), dual-lumen PVC tube designed for gastric decompression — draining gastric contents by suction to relieve obstruction, post-surgical gastric stasis, ileus, or to manage large-volume gastric secretions. The sump (vent) lumen is the clinical design innovation that allows safe negative-pressure suction: in a single-lumen suction tube, the negative pressure draws gastric mucosa directly into the suction holes, causing mucosal injury; the vent lumen allows air to enter the suction zone, equalizing the negative pressure gradient at the mucosal surface and protecting the tissue while still draining liquid contents. Sump tubes can also be used for short-term feeding and medication administration, but their primary indication and design is decompression, not feeding. The Bard PreVent Nasogastric Sump Tube is a gastric decompression sump tube with the additional PreVent filter that addresses the most common clinical complication of standard sump tube use — vent lumen secretion reflux.

How does the PreVent filter work and what does the visual indicator mean clinically?

The PreVent filter is a small device that attaches to the external opening of the vent lumen (the blue pig-tail port) of the Bard sump tube. It contains a hydrophobic membrane — a material that is permeable to gases and air but impermeable to aqueous liquids. Under normal operating conditions, the filter allows ambient air to pass through its membrane into the vent lumen, maintaining the air column that prevents mucosal suction injury at the tip; simultaneously, any gas that accumulates in the stomach and enters the vent lumen can escape outward through the filter membrane, supporting gastric decompression beyond liquid drainage. When the main suction lumen is adequately draining, gastric secretions remain in the main lumen and don't reach the vent lumen, so the filter housing remains clear. When the main lumen becomes clogged — by thick secretions, blood clot, or tissue occlusion of the suction holes — the negative pressure from the suction system shifts to draw through the vent lumen instead, pulling liquid gastric secretions upward through the vent lumen toward the filter. The hydrophobic membrane stops the liquid secretions from exiting, containing them in the filter housing. The clear plastic housing makes these secretions visible to the clinical staff: a filter housing showing liquid content is a reliable indicator that the main suction lumen is clogged or not draining effectively. The correct response is to irrigate the main lumen with saline to clear the obstruction, reposition the tube, or assess whether the tube needs replacement. This early warning converts a reactive exposure event (secretions discharging at the pig-tail before anyone notices) into a proactive clinical assessment and intervention.

How do I determine the correct French size for an adult patient requiring an NG sump tube?

French size selection for an NG sump tube is determined by the clinical indication, the viscosity of the gastric contents to be drained, and the patient's anatomy. As a general guide: 12FR and 14FR are appropriate for patients with smaller nasal passages or for situations where patient comfort and minimal nasal trauma are primary considerations; the smaller diameter is adequate for liquid gastric drainage. 16FR is the most commonly used adult sump size — it provides adequate drainage for typical gastric secretions while remaining manageable for nasal insertion and patient tolerance. 18FR is used when the gastric contents are thick or particulate (post-surgery, ileus with retained food material, thick bloody secretions) where a smaller lumen would clog quickly; the 18FR lumen allows more viscous material to pass without obstruction. In most acute care settings, 16FR is the standard adult sump tube size ordered for routine gastric decompression; the prescriber selects the size based on the patient's specific clinical situation. If you are ordering for a facility and need guidance on standard stock sizes, 16FR (item 0046160) represents the most commonly ordered configuration. Call us at 1-866-218-0902 for guidance on box quantities and facility purchasing.

Questions about the Bard PreVent NG Sump Tube, NG tube selection, or facility ordering? Call our product specialists: 1-866-218-0902  |  Mon–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 9am–3pm EST