What is PEG Feeding?
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) feeding is a procedure that provides nutrition and hydration to patients who are unable to take food orally due to difficulty with swallowing or other medical complications.
This type of feeding involves inserting a thin, flexible tube through the abdominal wall into the stomach. This can be performed by nurses in specialised care services like Kinsa Care, who provide complex care services.
Difficulties Faced By Patients With PEG Feeding
There are several difficulties that patients may face when using PEG feeding including infection, discomfort or pain during insertion or removal of the tube, risk of choking or aspiration due to vomiting caused by tube misplacement or obstruction, and issues related to the management of the fluids being delivered through the tube such as incorrect administration rate or incorrect volume being delivered. Additionally, patients may also experience psychological distress associated with having a foreign object in their body for extended periods of time.
Kinsa Care Approach To PEG Feeding
At Kinsa Care we understand that each patient’s needs must be considered individually when choosing and managing a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feed procedure. Our experienced team makes sure that all aspects pertaining to patient safety have been assessed before commencing treatment and all potential difficulties discussed with the individual prior to commencement. We make sure that proper training is provided for any family members or caregivers involved in caring for the patient post-procedure so they understand how best to monitor their loved one’s condition during recovery.
We also ensure ongoing assessment of any issues that may arise during treatment such as pain relief strategies should they become necessary as well as hygiene maintenance strategies which are essential in minimising the risk of infection associated with this type of treatment. On top of this, we ensure our nursing teams are able to give advice on appropriate nutrition options tailored specifically for those using PEG feeds so that optimal health outcomes can be maintained throughout their care journey with us at Kinsa Care