Abstract
Background/objectives:
The use of drugs via feeding tube is problematic. Appropriate techniques must be used during the administration to prevent obstruction of a feeding tube, to avoid inadequate drug effects and to minimize the risk of toxicity of the given pharmaceuticals.
Subjects/methods:
In this study, medications of all the patients in a University Hospital with 1100 beds were monitored to identify the appropriateness of administration. The study was performed on 5 days each in 5 consecutive weeks to observe the current practice. After evaluation of practice, a questionnaire was given to doctors, nurses and pharmacists to determine the health-care professionals’ attitudes on drug administration through a feeding tube.
Results:
A total of 225 drugs (out of 13 935) were administered via feeding tube during the study period and 40.5% (n=91) were not administered in appropriate dosage forms. Only 86% of the doctors and 98% of the nurses stated that they pay attention to the suitability of drugs when they prescribe or administer drugs via feeding tube. Only 58% of pharmacists, 17% of nurses and 24% of doctors were aware of the fact that enteric-coated tablets should not be crushed owing to the risk of tube occlusion and lack of efficacy when they are administered via feeding tube.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated the discordance between the theoretical knowledge and the practical performance of the health-care professionals in drug administration. In patients with feeding tubes, assessment of drug dosage forms by a pharmacist would be beneficial for appropriate administration and to prevent drug interactions.
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Acknowledgements
We thank all doctors, pharmacists and nurses for their kind support to participate in this survey.
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Demirkan, K., Bayraktar-Ekincioglu, A., Gulhan-Halil, M. et al. Assessment of drug administration via feeding tube and the knowledge of health-care professionals in a university hospital. Eur J Clin Nutr 71, 164–168 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.147
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2016.147
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