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Drug administration via enteral feeding tubes in residential care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability: an observational study
Author(s) -
Joos E.,
Mehuys E.,
Van Bocxlaer J.,
Remon J. P.,
Van Winckel M.,
Boussery K.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1111/jir.12129
Subject(s) - observational study , medicine , guideline , enteral administration , drug administration , dosing , emergency medicine , intensive care medicine , parenteral nutrition , pharmacology , pathology
Background The administration of oral medication to patients with an enteral feeding tube ( EFT ) is challenging. Compliance to guidelines concerning medication administration via EFT has been investigated extensively in the hospital setting. However, studies in residential care facilities ( RCFs ) for individuals with intellectual disability ( ID ) are very limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to collect direct observational data on drug administration practices to residents with EFT in multiple RCFs . Method This cross‐sectional, observational study was conducted in six Belgian RCFs for individuals with ID . Observations of medication preparation and administration through EFT were carried out in two randomly selected units per participating RCF , on 2 days per unit during all daytime drug rounds, using a direct observation method. Afterwards, the recorded observations were compared with international guidelines on drug preparation and administration through EFT . Results In total, 862 drug preparations and 268 administrations in 48 residents with EFT were witnessed. Mixing together multiple drugs, not diluting liquid formulations with at least an equal amount of water, not shaking suspensions/emulsions before use, and not selecting the most appropriate dosage form were the most common deviations from medication preparation guideline recommendations. For medication administration, not flushing the EFT with at least 15 mL water was the most common deviation. We also observed high variability in working methods regarding medication preparation and administration via EFT , even between staff members of the same unit. Conclusion This study found that current guidelines concerning medication preparation and administration through EFT are often not followed in B elgian RCFs for individuals with ID . Further research aimed at understanding why current guidelines are not followed seems warranted.