Foreign Body Ingestion

Clinical Pathways promote evidence-based, safe, and high-value patient care by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by a methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members.

Clinical Pathway:

• Foreign Body Ingestion algorithm 
• Foreign Body Ingestion synopsis – provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway

Inclusion and exclusion criteria:

•  Inclusion:
  •   Suspected foreign body ingestion
• Exclusion:
  •  Respiratory distress or failure
  • Known abnormal GI anatomy
  •  Previous GI surgery
  •  Suspected aspiration of foreign body (See Foreign Body Aspiration Clinical Pathway)

Committee members involved in the development:

• Nadia Ibrahimi, MD | Gastroenterology | Committee Chair
• Thomas Attard, MD, FAAP, FACG | Gastroenterology | Committee Member
• Jonathan Hartley, DO | Hospital Medicine | Committee Member
• Erin Opfer, DO | Radiology | Committee Member
• Tolu Oyetunji, MD, MPH, MBA | Surgery | Committee Member
• Shawn St. Peter, MD | Surgery, Administration | Committee Member
• Erin Scott | Emergency Department | Committee Member 

EBP Committee Members:

• Todd Glenski, MD, MSHA, FASA | Anesthesiology, Evidence Based Practice
• Megan Gripka, MT (ASCP) SM | Evidence Based Practice

Publication dates:

• Finalized date: 08/2024
• Next expected revision date: 2027

Concerns with content:
If you have any questions regarding this content or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu. 

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.