Before any liquid or feed is introduced into a nasogastric tube, confirmation that the tube tip is in the stomach, by pH testing or x-ray, must be completed. Testing the pH of gastric aspirate to show pH ≤5.5 is the recommended first-line test to confirm correct placement of nasogastric tubes and reduce the risk of potentially fatal aspiration. Results from an audit examining the viability of pH indicator strips for nasogastric tube placement found participants made up to 11.15% errors reading the strips and reported anxiety in their use.

The AspHirate product has been developed in conjunction with the NHS. Internal test data on file demonstrated 100% accuracy at clinical decision values of pH 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5. SMTL (NHS Surgical Materials Testing Laboratories) completed testing of the Asphirate product as part of an NWSSP procurement programme. The results of this testing led to the Asphirate product being authorised for use within the NHS in Wales. Since then, the Asphirate product has been taken up by NHS trusts within all parts of the UK.