Gastrostomy (PEG) Care

To provide underpinning knowledge associated with best practice for performing safe and effective gastrostomy care including a simulated practical experience in a controlled environment to assist the development of competent gastrostomy management skills.

To raise awareness of the legal implications of the NMC and organisational policies regarding gastrostomy care and promote the safety and well-being of all patients who require gastrostomy care.

DESCRIPTION

By the end of the course, candidates will be able to:

• Discuss legal and professional responsibilities associated with performing gastrostomy care with local and national guidance
• Follow procedures for gaining consent and correct documentation
• Describe the anatomy of the digestive system
• List related terminology and explain their meanings
• List indications and contraindications for a gastrostomy
• Understand the need to manage health and safety risk
• Identify and discuss the range of available tubes and equipment
• Demonstrate practical ability in performing daily care and hygiene tasks, giving feeds and water flushes, administering medications
• Demonstrate practical ability in tube replacement and changing inflation balloon water (nurses only)
• Follow correct procedures for minimising infection
• Identify potential problems, describing how to prevent them and what actions are required should they occur

Practitioners will be assessed by –

• Ability to answer questions during course
• Discussion following feedback from activities
• Undertaking simulated gastrostomy care procedures
• Completing a post course knowledge assessment

Course content

• Legal and professional considerations and responsibilities
• Consent for care and treatment
• Anatomy and physiology of the digestive system
• Malnutrition
• Enteral feeding and route options
• PEG definition and benefits of gastrostomy feeding
• The initial PEG procedure
• Indications and contra-indications
• Ethical issues
• Types of gastrostomy tubes
• Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomy
• Gastrostomy Jejunostomy Tube
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Fixation plate and tube rotation
• Stoma care and observations
• Checking balloon volume
• Replacing a balloon gastrostomy tube
• Psychological consequences
• Feeding methods
• Nutritional feeds and supplements
• Dietitian
• Water flushes
• Administering a feed – procedure, positioning, problems
• Administering medications
• Complications
• Documentation
• Principles of Nursing Practice
• Practical workshop and knowledge assessment