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A comparison of performing tube feeding with the standard procedures at selected educational and treatment centers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background: Tube feeding is used for patients, who are not able to eat orally but their digestive system can digest food. This method is safe and economical for patients, maintains the functions of the digestive system and reduces the risk of infection and sepsis. However, incorrect administration of this method of feeding results in problems such as aspiration pneumonia, infection, diarrhea, NG tube obstruction, and etcetera. If tube feeding is performed according to its standard procedure, it can have a major role in reducing complications, providing adaptability and the desired lifestyle, reducing the duration of hospitalization, and reducing the relevant costs. Materials and Methods: This research is a descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study on 37 nurses who worked in the general surgery and neurology wards and fed patients suffering from gastrostomy. A valid and reliable checklist was used for data collection. To analyze the data, the descriptive statistical method (frequency and mean) and inferential method (paired t-test, Spearman Correlation Coefficient and variance Analysis with repetition of observations) were used. Findings: The findings showed that the mean score of measures in all the stages (before, during, and after administration) was significantly lower than the standard (p < 0.001). There was a significant reverse relation between the score of measures in all the three stages (before, during, and after administration), and work record and work experience in the ward. Furthermore, the mean score of measures in all the three stages was significantly different between female and male subjects (p value = 0.031), in that the mean score of women was higher than that of men. There was also a significant difference between the mean score of measures in all the three stages, and the employment status of samples; so that the mean score of provisionally employed personnel was higher than that of permanently employed personnel. Conclusions: The findings of the research showed that the mean score of measures before, during, and after administration of feeding through gastrostomy was lower than the standard (p < 0.001). Therefore, a gastroenterology advisor, a clinical nurse and a nutrition specialist should train the patients and their families, and the personnel about preparation and storage of food, method of administering food, protection of tube entrance and NG tube by considering the problems and complications arising from this type of feeding. Based on the findings of the present research, it is necessary to retrain the nurses and especially male nurses, nurses with more work experience, and permanently employed nurses in terms of correct performance of clinical nursing skills including this type of feeding.