title: Drug administration via enteral feeding tube in residential care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability: A focus group study on guideline implementation.
abstract: People with profound intellectual disabilities often receive medication through enteral feeding tube (EFT). In a previous study, we found that current guidelines concerning medication preparation and administration through EFT are often not followed in residential care facilities (RCFs) for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The present qualitative study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators experienced by RCF staff members to following guidelines on medication administration via EFT, by conducting focus group interviews. Time constraints, lack of knowledge, lack of clear administration instructions, lack of necessary materials, and limited gastric fluid tolerance in certain residents were identified as barriers to following guidelines. Other influencing factors were the number of staff members, residents, and medications; habits; and the residents' comfort and well-being. To optimize care for this vulnerable patient population with EFT, an intervention can be set up focusing on improving staff members' medication-related knowledge and providing clear administration instructions and the necessary materials.
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium elke.joos@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Joos
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Tongelen
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wijnants
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mehuys
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Bocxlaer
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Remon
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grypdonck
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Winckel
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boussery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000592:standards*; D017144:Focus Groups; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000592:standards*; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000451:nursing*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000592:standards*
keywords: barrier; enteral feeding tube; focus group; intellectual disability; medication administration