Abstract

The avoidable complications of clogging and dislodgement of gastrostomy tubes (g-tubes) place a tremendous burden on patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and the entire medical system. These complications are associated with $130 million in healthcare utilization each year. Insufficient education of patients and personal caregivers regarding the prevention of complications of clogging and dislodgement of g-tubes is identified as a major barrier. Preintervention and postintervention education program models were established, which include a preprocedure clinic visit with education as well as scheduled follow-up phone calls. A chart review and follow-up phone call was used to evaluate the effect of providing consistent evidence-based education to patients and caregivers. The results of this study showed that none of the participants had a complication of clogging or dislodgement within 30 days of placement.

Language

English

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Level of Degree

Doctoral

First Committee Member

Dr. Joanne Haeffele

Second Committee Member

Dr. Ruth DeRego

Third Committee Member

Dr. William Schaeffer

Keywords

gastrostomy tube, patient education, complication prevention, management

Download

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

COinS