title: [Gastrostromy tube feeding of elderly inpatients in Bremen].
abstract: Tube feeding has become a common procedure among patients of nursing homes. Reliable data about prevalence in nursing homes, medical and nutritional indications are not available on local or national level. The Public Health Office in Bremen conducted a questionnaire based survey of all nursing homes in August 2003 in which 56 of 62 institutions participated (90.3 %) and 4,300 of 4,549 patients (94 %) could be included. Prevalence of patients with gastrostomy tubes (PEG) varied between 0 and 16.7 % and was higher than expected with an average of 7.8 %. The evaluation of reported medical indications, patients' problems and decision-making showed need of further vocational training and guidelines which include ethical aspects. The results of the survey were presented to and discussed with the staffs of nursing homes at a conference in February 2004.
authors.affiliation: Kommunale Gesundheitsberichterstattung, Gesundheitsamt Bremen.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hilbert
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*