{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02534435261707989, 'fraction_numerical': 0.012672176308539946, 'mean_word_length': 5.676470588235294, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
[Project to decrease the nasogastric tube occlusion rate in a gastrointestinal unit].

BACKGROUND & PROBLEMS
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.


PURPOSE
The purpose of this project was to reduce the nasogastric tube occlusion rate to 0.31% or less.


RESOLUTIONS
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.