title: Managing bowel obstruction in ovarian cancer using a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, Ottawa, ON.
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jolicoeur
authors.forename: Wylam
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Faught
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010359:Patient Readmission; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D016896:Treatment Outcome