Date on Paper

8-2019

Document Type

Doctoral Paper

Department

Nursing

Committee Chair

Mary DeLetter

Committee Member

Sara Robertson

Author's Keywords

Key words: G-tube discharge, pediatric G-tube toolkit, pediatric G-tube discharge, G-tube toolkit

Abstract

Surgically placed gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) are used in pediatric patients to provide proper nutrition and hydration when illness or trauma renders the child unable to consume adequate oral intake. Parents/caregivers are given education and training on their child’s G-tube, which varies from hospital to hospital. Parents/caregivers are responsible for all aspects of the G-tube once discharged from the hospital. Studies have shown that after discharge, ER visits and/or unscheduled clinic visits are necessary for G-tube complications, many of which could be dealt with at home given the proper education and resources. The aim of this project was to provide a Pediatric Discharge G-tube Toolkit to parents/caregivers of children with newly placed G-tubes which would help prevent unnecessary ER visits and/or unscheduled clinic visits for G-tube complications. The kit consists of all necessary supplies for G-tube care and a quick refence guide on managing common complications. Participants were identified by bedside nurses and discharge planners in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The student project leader delivered the toolkit to five parents/caregivers, discussed the contents, and made follow-up calls at one and four weeks post-discharge, using the phone assessment and administering the Modified Version of the Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale (PDCDS). The participants’ PDCDS scores ranged from 16-39, with a mean of 29 ± 7.9 indicating they were coping well. Only one of the project participants made an ER visit for a G-tube complication within the first month post-discharge, none made an unscheduled clinic visit, and none were readmitted to the hospital. The pre-project cohort made three ER visits within the first month post-discharge and had two hospital readmissions for G-tube complications.

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