030 – Gathering the Evidence for Gastrostomy Site Care

Abstract

PurposeIt has been observed that most bedside nurses are apprehensive about caring for postoperative gastrostomy tube/button sites immediately following and up to a few days after placement. In addition, some nurses are unaware of their scope of practice in relation to caring for common occurrences with gastrostomy sites. Adequate care to gastrostomy tubes surpasses the task of providing nutrition or medications.ProblemObserving and working as a pediatric nurse, it was a common practice to “call the doctor” when issues with gastrostomy tubes/buttons occurred. In addition, nurses are reluctant to independently initiate immediate postoperative care due to the lack of awareness of the scope of practice provided to the RN. Upon participating in an evidence-based practice course and reviewing our facilities policy regarding gastrostomy tube/button care, it was identified that floor nurses are providing inadequate care for patients with gastrostomy tubes. These factors inhibit effective discharge education to patients and families.MethodTo improve the nursing staff's awareness of their scope of practice related to gastrostomy care, three bedside nurses, including an RN trained in wound ostomy care, developed a teaching session to provide research-based information on care for patients with gastrostomy tubes/buttons. Methods include pre and post tests and PowerPoint information sharing session.FindingsResults from the pre and post test will be utilized to assess learning. Families will be given a survey upon discharge to assess if they feel prepared to care for their child's gastrostomy tube/button site. PurposeIt has been observed that most bedside nurses are apprehensive about caring for postoperative gastrostomy tube/button sites immediately following and up to a few days after placement. In addition, some nurses are unaware of their scope of practice in relation to caring for common occurrences with gastrostomy sites. Adequate care to gastrostomy tubes surpasses the task of providing nutrition or medications. It has been observed that most bedside nurses are apprehensive about caring for postoperative gastrostomy tube/button sites immediately following and up to a few days after placement. In addition, some nurses are unaware of their scope of practice in relation to caring for common occurrences with gastrostomy sites. Adequate care to gastrostomy tubes surpasses the task of providing nutrition or medications. ProblemObserving and working as a pediatric nurse, it was a common practice to “call the doctor” when issues with gastrostomy tubes/buttons occurred. In addition, nurses are reluctant to independently initiate immediate postoperative care due to the lack of awareness of the scope of practice provided to the RN. Upon participating in an evidence-based practice course and reviewing our facilities policy regarding gastrostomy tube/button care, it was identified that floor nurses are providing inadequate care for patients with gastrostomy tubes. These factors inhibit effective discharge education to patients and families. Observing and working as a pediatric nurse, it was a common practice to “call the doctor” when issues with gastrostomy tubes/buttons occurred. In addition, nurses are reluctant to independently initiate immediate postoperative care due to the lack of awareness of the scope of practice provided to the RN. Upon participating in an evidence-based practice course and reviewing our facilities policy regarding gastrostomy tube/button care, it was identified that floor nurses are providing inadequate care for patients with gastrostomy tubes. These factors inhibit effective discharge education to patients and families. MethodTo improve the nursing staff's awareness of their scope of practice related to gastrostomy care, three bedside nurses, including an RN trained in wound ostomy care, developed a teaching session to provide research-based information on care for patients with gastrostomy tubes/buttons. Methods include pre and post tests and PowerPoint information sharing session. To improve the nursing staff's awareness of their scope of practice related to gastrostomy care, three bedside nurses, including an RN trained in wound ostomy care, developed a teaching session to provide research-based information on care for patients with gastrostomy tubes/buttons. Methods include pre and post tests and PowerPoint information sharing session. FindingsResults from the pre and post test will be utilized to assess learning. Families will be given a survey upon discharge to assess if they feel prepared to care for their child's gastrostomy tube/button site. Results from the pre and post test will be utilized to assess learning. Families will be given a survey upon discharge to assess if they feel prepared to care for their child's gastrostomy tube/button site.