title: [Project to decrease the nasogastric tube occlusion rate in a gastrointestinal unit].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  When oral intake is inadequate or not recommended for patients with underlying diseases or specific treatments, it is common for these patients to receive nutrition enterally through a nasogastric tube. However, tube occlusion is a common complication of enteral feeding tubes. Data collected at our hospital from January to September 2011 identified 7 nasogastric tube occlusion events. All events were resolved by replacing the original tube with a new tube.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this project was to reduce the nasogastric tube occlusion rate to 0.31% or less.
  
  
  METHODS
  Implemented interventions included: 1) developing and administering a course for nurses on nasogastric-tube feeding techniques; (2) providing a filter for powdered medications; (3) developing a standard procedure for administering Nexium through nasogastric tubes; (4) updating patient-education pamphlets for nasogastric tube feeding; and (5) enhancing the quality of nurse auditing on nasogastric tube feeding techniques and nasogastric-tube medication-administration techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average nasogastric tube occlusion rate decreased from 0.76% to 0% and the average nasogastric tube feeding technique compliance rate for nurses increased. The accuracy rate for specific medication administration techniques through nasogastric tubes increased dramatically from 16.7% to 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The project involved a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. This team developed a standard protocol for nasogastric tube feeding and specific medication administration recommendations for nasogastric tubes; revised nursing practice standards; and decreased the rate of nasogastric tube occlusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan, ROC. jen0518@mail2000.com.tw.
authors.forename: Jen-Ru
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Mei-Chun
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yu-Chiung
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Shu-Hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D010348:Patient Care Team
keywords: enteral feeding tube occlusion; nasogastric tube