Abstract
Determination of the ideal medication characteristics for the safe and effective administration of medications via enteral feeding tubes
Highlights
Many patients are unable to take nutrition by mouth and enteral feeding tubes (EFTs) have to be inserted directly into the stomach either via the nose or straight through the abdomen
A survey of practice amongst nutrition nurses, dietitians, nursing homes and patients was undertaken to determine what methods were used for medication administration and which medication were associated with problems
Tablet dispersion did not affect the dose delivered the crushing methods used lead to a significant reduction in the dose Liquid medications are associated with administration problems if they have a high viscosity or granular properties
Summary
Many patients are unable to take nutrition by mouth and enteral feeding tubes (EFTs) have to be inserted directly into the stomach either via the nose or straight through the abdomen. Over 37,000 patients in the UK use these tubes long term. Medicines given by this route are unlicensed and patients and carers have no guidance available to them to decide how best to prepare and administer medicines for delivery via this route. A survey of practice amongst nutrition nurses, dietitians, nursing homes and patients was undertaken to determine what methods were used for medication administration and which medication were associated with problems. Laboratory work was undertaken to find out if the liquid medicines associated with problems had similar properties and if the methods used for tablet administration, dispersion or crushing, delivered an accurate dose
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