Nurse-Assisted Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement Is a Safe Procedure in Adult Patients.

The percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) procedure is normally carried out by two doctors. Preliminary experience has suggested that this procedure may be accomplished with the same safety level using one doctor and a specially trained endoscopy nurse. The aim of the study was to assess the immediate outcome and 30 days' procedure-related morbidity following nurse-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (NA-PEG) in an unselected population of adult patients. Retrospective, nonconsecutive analysis of NA-PEG procedures were registered between 2008 and 2014. Demographic data, indications, and early and late procedure complications were registered. During the study period, a total of 222 nonconsecutive adult patients had a NA-PEG placement. Neurologic (56%) and malignant diseases (35%) were the major indications for the PEG placement. The NA-PEGs were performed by six specially trained endoscopy nurses. NA-PEG-related overall morbidity was 24%, and all complications were minor. No procedure-related mortality occurred. When NA-PEG was compared with standard PEG placement literature, there was no increase in the number of complications, and the types of complications were similar. Despite being performed in patients with multiple co-morbid conditions, NA-PEG was a safe procedure with no mortality and minor complications. We suggest that NA-PEG should be used on a larger scale with the intention of saving time and medical costs.

What to know and how to get to know? A fieldwork study outlining the understanding of knowing the patient in facilities for short-term stay.

AIM: To report a descriptive study of nursing in facilities for short-term stay aiming to outline what 'knowing the patient' means in an endoscopic outpatient clinic. BACKGROUND: 'Knowing the patient' is indispensable to the effort of tailoring nursing to the individual patient's needs. Structural changes in the practice environments, however, reduce the amount of time a nurse spends getting to know the patient. Despite recent years' focus on the subject, no uniform description of 'knowing the patient' in facilities for short-term stay exists. DESIGN: A fieldwork study influenced by practical ethnographic principles was performed in a high-technology endoscopic outpatient clinic during 2008-2010. METHODS: Data were collected using participant observation for 12 weeks and semi-structured interviews with eight patients and four nurses. FINDINGS: Findings were summarized into two categories 'What to know?' and 'How to get to know?' The former concerned practical issues in relation to gastroscopy and was described in terms of the patient's level of anxiety, wish for medication and previous experiences. The latter 'How to get to know?' concerned instruments employed in getting to know the patient and was described in terms of the use of communication and sensing. CONCLUSIONS: 'Knowing the patient' in the endoscopic outpatient clinic was understood in a very practical sense. Conversation and the use of the eyes and physical touch enabled a situational awareness. It helped tailor nursing to the patient's needs and allowed the nurse to treat every patient as a unique individual.

[Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG): overview and nursing care].

The dramatic increase in the elderly population in Taiwan has made dysphagia an increasingly prevalent problem in long-term care. While tube feeding is mandatory for patients unable to take food orally, this approach increases recurrent aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition risks. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is currently the most effective and prevalent approach to enteral nutrition. This article introduces the definition, indications, contraindications, complications, advantages and disadvantages of PEG and its clinical nursing care protocols. The author hopes that this narrative description of a nurse's experience providing appropriate nursing care to a PEG patient will help enhance reader understanding of PEG care.

A systematic review of prophylactic antimicrobials in PEG placement.

AIM: To establish whether prophylactic systemic antimicrobials reduce the risk of peristomal infection in placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies. BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies, placed surgically through the anterior abdominal wall, maintain nutrition in the short or long term. Those undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement are often vulnerable to infection. The increasing incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contributes an additional risk to the debate surrounding antibiotic prophylaxis. The aim of antimicrobial prophylaxis is to establish a bactericidal concentration of an antimicrobial drug in the patient, during placement. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (July 2006); The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2006, Issue 2); handsearched wound care journals, relevant conference proceedings and bibliographies of publications identified, and contacted manufacturers and distributors of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy products. Randomised controlled trials were selected evaluating the use of prophylactic antimicrobials for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement, with no restrictions for language, date or publication status. Both authors performed data extraction and assessment of study quality. Meta-analysis was performed where appropriate. RESULTS: Ten eligible randomised controlled trials were identified evaluating prophylactic antimicrobials in 1100 patients. All trials reported peristomal infection as an outcome and a pooled analysis resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of peristomal infection with prophylactic antibiotics (pooled OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.22-0.44). The relative reduction in risk of infection for those given antibiotics was 19% with the need to treat 5.8 patients to prevent one infection - NNT. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of systemic prophylactic antibiotics for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement reduces peristomal infection. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The nurse's role in endoscopy is expanding rapidly and demands that practice is based on the best available evidence. This systematic review seeks to make a contribution to best practice in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement.

An investigation into the information received by patients undergoing a gastroscopy in a large teaching hospital in Ireland.

The purpose of this article is to examine the information received by patients undergoing a gastroscopy. The growing number and complexity of day-case endoscopy increases the need for quality patient information. Provision of patient information reduces anxiety, increases knowledge, improves cooperation during endoscopy and increases compliance with discharge instructions. The study used a descriptive survey with convenience sampling (response rate 66%, N = 137). Patients received most of the standard procedural information (how and why the procedure is carried out), but they received considerably less sensory information (information regarding what they would hear, feel, smell, etc.). In addition, age and gender appeared to affect the amount of information received. Older patients received more procedural information than younger patients, and male patients received more information than female patients. The nurse was the main source of information. The majority of patients (>80%) received adequate information and were satisfied with the information received. Patients also received most of the information verbally on the day of the procedure rather than before admission. This study identified the need for patient information leaflets. The role of the nurse and the effect of age and gender on information provision are important considerations for healthcare professionals.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy: in vivo endoscopic tissue analysis.

In today's fast-paced world of instant messaging, high-speed Internet, and cell phones, patients want results of procedures in the same high-speed fashion. The development of the new technique of confocal laser endomicroscopy and the restructuring of the endoscope may enable quick procedure results to be delivered. First used in Germany and Australia for research and now available for clinical use, confocal laser endomicroscopy has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for marketing and clinical use in the United States. This article provides the gastroenterology nurse with information about how the confocal laser endomicroscope works, assisting with the procedure, and pre- and postprocedure patient instructions.

The effect of an information brochure on patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to test the potential beneficial effects of an information brochure on undergoing a gastrointestinal endoscopy for the first time. The information provided was based on self-regulation theory, and patients could restrict themselves to reading the summary only. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to an experimental group receiving the brochure at least 1 day before the gastroscopy (N=47), or to a control group not receiving the brochure (N=48). RESULTS: The results show that all experimental subjects, except one, fully read the brochure. Those receiving the brochure experienced less anxiety before the gastroscopy and, afterwards, they reported greater satisfaction with the preparation for it. With regard to coping style there were some small moderating effects into the direction expected: low blunters (those not seeking distraction under impending threat) as compared to high blunters showed extra reduced anxiety after reading the brochure. They also tended to read the brochure more often. High monitors (those seeking information under impending threat) receiving the brochure showed reduced anxiety during the gastroscopy as compared to low monitors (tendency). CONCLUSION: We conclude that providing patients with the developed brochure constitutes an efficient, beneficial intervention. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The brochure could easily be implemented in standard practice without the necessity to take the patient's coping style into account.

Joint primary-secondary care design of PEG care pathways.

The use of PEG feeding has increased over the past decade. This article describes the development of a care pathway to support patients and maintain standards of care in PEG feeding.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: evaluation of insertion by an endoscopy nurse practitioner.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the success rate and complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) insertion performed with an endoscopy nurse practitioner, rather than a second doctor, carrying out percutaneous gastric puncture. DESIGN: A prospective evaluation of one nurse'e performance. SETTING: The endoscopy unit in a district general hospital. METHODS: An experienced endoscopy nurse, who had undergone a specific training course in PEG insertion, participated in PEG placement in 50 unselected patients over a one year period. The outcome and complications were compared with 50 PEGs inserted over the same period by medical personnel. A standard 'pull' technique was used to insert a 15Fr tube under sedation and local anaesthetic. RESULTS: The nurse was successful in PEG placement in all patients. Immediate complications from the procedure occurred in two cases in both the nurse-assisted and doctor-assisted groups. These were directly related to the gastric puncture in only one patient in each group; the others were respiratory complications related to the gastroscopy (resulting in the death of one patient). Thirty-day mortality was 8% in the nurse-assisted group and 12% following doctor-assisted PEG (mainly due to progression of the underlying condition). Outcome at 3 months was similar in the two groups, except for a slightly lower incidence of stomal infection in the nurse-assisted group. CONCLUSION: The participation of an endoscopy nurse practitioner in the gastric puncture for PEG insertion appeared to be safe and effective and offered advantages in terms of the efficient provision of a PEG placement service, increased continuity of care for the patients and an enhanced professional role for the nurse involved.

Managing bowel obstruction in ovarian cancer using a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube.

An estimated 2,500 women were diagnosed with and 1,500 died from ovarian cancer in Canada in 2002. Up to 42% of patients in the palliative phase develop a malignant bowel obstruction. Options for management include medical therapy, surgery, and/or a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. The objective of this quality improvement study was to: 1) examine if successful palliation was achieved using a PEG tube, and 2) identify opportunities to improve the quality of nursing care provided. A retrospective review of 24 patient records revealed that 75% did not have nausea/vomiting by time of discharge; 92% resumed a clear fluid diet; 83% were discharged from the acute care setting; and 70% did not require re-admission. A PEG tube may effectively palliate women with non-operable bowel obstruction in advanced/recurrent cancer of the ovary. Opportunities for improving care are presented.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

In the form of a case study that illustrates the procedure of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), this article examines the implications of feeding patients by identifying the professional, legal, and moral issues that are involved.

Catch 22: manipulative family members.

When a Medicare patient from another state, who is not deemed mentally incompetent, vehemently demands treatment but then defers all procedures and treatment to her questionably competent son who, in turn, curtails any progress toward diagnosis, what are the hospital's and attending physicians' rights to continue basic care to the tune of $90,000 and beyond? Such multifaceted and complex dilemmas are illustrated by this case study which outlines the challenges and restraints encountered in dealing with an unusual situation. Also, it offers guidelines as a framework for action when a manipulative family member or patient is encountered.

Enteral feeding and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Many patients are unable to eat and others are malnourished. Such patients need nutritional support, and enteral feeding offers one way of providing such support. It may be needed for a short time during acute or critical illness or for prolonged periods in chronic illness. Short-term feeding is usually given through a nasogastric tube, while permanent feeding access is indicated for long-term feeding, most commonly through a gastrostomy. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a minimally invasive technique for placing a feeding tube and causing minimal discomfort. This article reviews enteral feeding focusing on PEG and considers the after care and complications of this method of feeding.

The first assistant role in PEG tube insertion.

Nurses are under pressure to take on junior doctors' tasks. Expansion of the nurse's role should be of benefit to patients and professionally appropriate. The development of the first assistant role in PEG may be an avenue for expanding nursing.

Do nurses know enough about percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy?

An audit of nurses in a district general hospital found that there were gaps in their knowledge about the management of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. The author suggests ways in which their knowledge could be updated and patient care improved.

The correct positioning and role of an external fixation device on a PEG.

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube (PEG) is the means by which long-term artificial enteral nutrition can be provided to patients. PEGs differ in design and length of use but have one device common to all--the external fixation device or boister. This is a small piece of polyurethane or silicone that is usually circular or triangular in shape. It encircles the PEG and is designed to anchor the PEG externally and 'prevent it from being pulled into the stomach' (Colagiovanni, 2001) (Fig 1).