Implementation and evaluation of a home gavage program for preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the implementation and evaluation of a home gavage program for preterm infants.


METHODS
Retrospective chart reviews were used to assess the physiologic progress of infants, and retrospective written questionnaires were administered by mail to families participating in home gavage to assess their experience and solicit advice.


METHODS
One hundred forty-three infants born at <37 weeks gestational age with a primary diagnosis of prematurity who met criteria for home gavage, of whom 52 were given home gavage and 91 attained full oral feedings in intensive care before discharge.


METHODS
The safety of home gavage was evaluated by weight change and hospital readmission. Parental satisfaction was assessed by the mailed survey. Cost savings were also evaluated.


RESULTS
Infants gained and average of 31 gm/day while receiving home gavage. No hospital readmissions were related to home gavage. Parents expressed satisfaction with the home gavage program. There was an average savings of $12,428 per infant related to shorter hospital stays.
Sturm
Lynn D
LD
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA. ldsturm@gundluth.org
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017046:Cost Savings; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain; D014922:Wisconsin