Comparison of Glucose Concentration of Tracheal Secretions by Measuring Times and Feeding Methods in Enterally Fed Patients / 성인간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between a pulmonary aspiration group and a non-pulmonary aspiration group in glucose concentration of tracheal secretions by measuring time and feeding methods. METHOD: The subjects were 36 ICU patients who were receiving formula via nasogastric tubes and had endotracheal tubes or tracheostomy tubes. Tracheal secretions were collected by connecting suction traps to a suction catheter in three different times(within 1 hour after feeding, between 1 to 2 hours after feeding, and between 2 to 3 hours after feeding) for 2 days, overall six times. Glucose concentration of tracheal secretions was measured with the glucometer(Accucheck II). RESULTS: Glucose concentration of tracheal secretions increased in progression after feeding. The mean of specimens collected last(between two to three hours after feeding) was shown to be the highest value(M= 61.61 mg/dl) in the pulmonary aspiration group. Significantly(p=.000) more subjects(94.44%) in the pulmonary aspiration group received formula via a 50cc syringe than those in the non-pulmonary aspiration group(22.22%). CONCLUSION: Critically ill patients may need more time for head-elevation after tube feeding to prevent pulmonary aspiration. In practice, enteral formula should not be given the patients via a 50cc syringe anymore, instead a feeding bag or infusion pump should be used to prevent pulmonary aspiration.