Improving Oral Medicine Administration in Patients with Swallowing Problems and Feeding Tubes

The impact of train-the-trainer programs on the continued professional development of nurses: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Train-the-trainer (TTT) programs are widely applied to disseminate knowledge within healthcare systems, but evidence of the effectiveness of this educational model remains unclear. We systematically reviewed studies evaluating the impact of train-the-trainer models on the learning outcomes of nurses.

METHODS

The reporting of our systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 checklist. Records identified from MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and ERIC were independently screened by two researchers and deemed eligible if studies evaluated learning outcomes of a train-the-trainer intervention for trainers or trainees targeting nurses. Study quality was assessed with Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tools and data of study characteristics extracted (objective, design, population, outcomes, results). Heterogeneity of outcomes ruled out meta-analysis; a narrative synthesis and vote counting based on direction of effects (p < 0.05) synthesized the results. All records were uploaded and organized in EPPI-Reviewer.

RESULTS

Of the 3800 identified records 11 studies were included. The included studies were published between 1998 and 2021 and mostly performed in the US or Northern Europe. Nine studies had quasi-experimental designs and two were randomized controlled trials. All evaluated effects on nurses of which two also included nurses' assistants. The direction of effects of the 13 outcomes (knowledge, n = 10; skills, n = 2; practice, n = 1) measured in the 11 included studies were all beneficial. The statistical analysis of the vote counting showed that train-the-trainer programs could significantly (p < 0.05) improve trainees' knowledge, but the number of outcomes measuring impact on skills or practice was insufficient for synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Train-the-trainer models can successfully disseminate knowledge to nurses within healthcare systems. Considering the nurse shortages faced by most Western healthcare systems, train-the-trainer models can be a timesaving and sustainable way of delivering education. However, new comparative studies that evaluate practice outcomes are needed to conclude whether TTT programs are more effective, affordable and timesaving alternatives to other training programs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The protocol was registered in Research Registry ( https://www.researchregistry.com , unique identifying number 941, 29 June 2020).

Oral medications administration through enteral feeding tube: Clinical pharmacist-led educational intervention to improve knowledge of Intensive care units' nurses at Jordan University Hospital

Introduction

Medication administration through enteral feeding tubes is a practice that is commonly encountered in hospital settings, particularly in critically ill patients. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of intensive care unit nurses regarding enteral medication administration and evaluate the effect of an educational intervention led by a clinical pharmacist that would improve nurses’ knowledge regarding the subject.

Methods

A pre/post interventional study was conducted. Improvement in nurses’ knowledge regarding medication administration through an enteral feeding tube was assessed using a validated questionnaire.

Results

Data were coded, entered, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS statistics 22). Independent samples t-test and paired t-test were used to detect any statistically significant differences in the mean total knowledge scores both between and within each group respectively. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean total knowledge score for nurses in the intervention and control group at the pre-interventional phase of the study was inadequate. There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean total knowledge score for the interventional group at the post-interventional phase of the study, while that of the control group remained inadequate (Intervention group total mean knowledge score at baseline 12.11 ± 3.75, post-intervention 21.50 ± 2.36, p-value <0.001; Control group total mean knowledge score at baseline 12.05 ± 3.12, post-intervention 12.60 ± 3.76, p-value 0.96).

Conclusion

Incorrect drug preparation and administration for patients with feeding tubes can affect patients. The knowledge of nurses regarding the subject can be improved significantly via an educational intervention. The activation of clinical pharmacists’ role and collaboration between pharmacists, physicians, and nurses is highly recommended in this clinical setting.

Enteral Medication for the Tube-Fed Patient: Making This Route Safe and Effective

The administration of medication through an enteral access device requires important forethought. Meeting a patient's therapeutic needs requires achieving expected drug bioavailability without increasing the risk for toxicity, therapeutic failure, or feeding tube occlusion. Superimposing gut dysfunction, critical illness, or enteral nutrition-drug interaction further increases the need for a systematic approach to prescribing, evaluating, and preparing a drug for administration through an enteral access device. This review will explain the fundamental factors involved in drug bioavailability through the gut, address the influencing considerations for the enterally fed patient, and describe best practices for enteral drug preparation and administration.

Barriers to managing medications appropriately when patients have restrictions on oral intake

RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES

Investigation of several serious adverse events in our organization highlighted that medications were managed inappropriately when patients have oral intake restrictions. The aim of this work was to identify the barriers to optimal medication management when patients have restrictions on their oral intake.

METHOD

Data were feedback and comments obtained between 2011 and 2014 from a hospital-wide quality assurance project. Data had not been purposefully collected and were in response to a general request for feedback regarding managing oral medications when patients have oral intake restrictions. Data came from a range of clinical staff and from various forums associated with the quality assurance project, including 37 presentations, 34 group meetings, and over 50 one-on-one meetings, as well as emails and other sources. Data were analysed using the thematic analysis approach. Data were coded inductively, and the domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework were used to categorize the data. Subthemes and themes were then developed.

RESULTS

Barriers could be broadly grouped into systems-level issues (organizational guidance and work environment) and the individual person-level issues (staff knowledge and beliefs). These barriers highlight the complexity of the medication management task. The lack of standardized guidance and consistent terminology regarding medication administration when patients have restrictions on oral intake, particularly when fasting or nil by mouth, were important systems factors, as were workflow issues and the "culture" of the environment in which staff practiced. Lack of knowledge about medication administration, social influences, and role interpretation were important individual person factors.

CONCLUSION

Systems- and individual person-level issues were significant contributors to inappropriate medication management when patients have oral intake restrictions. Many of the barriers may be addressed with systems approaches such as hospital-wide guidance that simplifies and standardize oral medication administration instructions, particularly regarding fasting and nil by mouth terminology.

Improving knowledge, attitudes, and practice of nurses in medication administration through enteral feeding tubes by clinical pharmacists: a case-control study

PURPOSE

Administering drugs and food to patients with swallowing disabilities via enteral tubes requires special skills. This task is a nursing duty and vital to ensure that they do this safely. An integrated program training nurses by a clinical pharmacist is likely to result in improved quality of oral drug administration via enteral feeding tubes. This quantitative study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of a clinical pharmacist educational program for improving nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) concerning administrating medication via feeding tubes.

METHODS

This case-control study was performed to evaluate KAP of intensive-care nurses with regard to drug delivery through enteral feeding tubes before and after their training program. A questionnaire focusing on nurses' KAP was prepared by a clinical pharmacist and reviewed by 18 nurses for its reliability. Then, an educational program was designed for the case group. Two months later, nurses' KAP in the case and control groups were reevaluated. Nurses' practice regarding drug administration through feeding tube was observed three times.

RESULTS

This study was carried out with 82 nurses working in six intensive-care units in two major training hospitals in Shiraz, Iran. The overall knowledge of nurses increased significantly after the training program in the case group, with adequate awareness regarding solid dosage-form crushing increasing from 14% to 63.2% (P˂0.001), tube flushing and drug dilution from 32.6% to 81.6% (P˂0.001), and knowledge about mixing crushed drugs through a feeding tube from 23.3% to 55.3% (P˂0.001). On the contrary, there was no change in the control group. After intervention, nurses' attitudes in the case group had changed significantly, and 50% of them consulted with pharmacists regarding drug administration.

CONCLUSION

An in-service education program by clinical pharmacists can lead to substantial improvements in administration of drugs via enteral feeding tubes.

Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of community-dwelling older adults and their carers about the modification of oral medicines: A qualitative interview study to inform healthcare professional practice

BACKGROUND

Oral medicines are commonly modified (e.g. tablets split/crushed) to meet the dosing and swallowing requirements of older adults. However, there is limited research investigating the opinions of community-dwelling patients and carers about medicine modification.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the views of community-dwelling older adults and their carers about oral medicine modification.

METHODS

Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with community-dwelling older adults and carers of older adults who experienced difficulty swallowing medicines, or who required medicines to be modified. Participants were recruited from purposively selected community pharmacies using a combination of purposive, convenience and snowball sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. The Francis method governed when data saturation had been reached.

RESULTS

Twenty-six interviews (13 patients, 13 carers) were conducted (76.9% female, median length 11 min (IQR 8-16 min)). Four themes emerged from the data: variation in medical needs and preferences; balancing acceptance and resignation; healthcare professional engagement and; opportunities for optimising formulation suitability. The heterogeneity of medical conditions experienced by community-dwelling older adults resulted in a variety of modifications being required. Patients and carers are accepting of their medications and formulations. However, when challenges arise, they tend to feel resigned to coping within the constraints of the current medication regimen, resulting in a lack of focused communication with healthcare professionals. Thus, healthcare professionals were unaware of their difficulties and unable to offer advice or solutions.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare professionals must engage proactively with this group. Whilst a holistic approach to medication management is ideal, the disadvantage is that no single healthcare professional may identify this as their responsibility. Whilst the input and expertise of all healthcare professionals will be required, as medication experts, the pharmacy profession should take ownership and become the champion of, and for, the patient.

Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing of Oral Solid Medications in Elderly Dysphagic Patients

Pharmaceutical formulations suitable for dysphagic patients are not always commercially available, motivating caregivers to crush tablets or open capsules to facilitate swallowing. Since this action may modify the characteristics of the medicine, it should be considered potentially inappropriate. This paper is the first to focus on how hospitalization affected the rate of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) and the incidence of dosage form-related PIPs in elderly patients with dysphagia. Data was collected by reviewing patient medical records in the Italian National Research Center on Aging of Ancona. The therapy at admission and discharge was analysed in terms of: inappropriate drug associations, inappropriate drugs for dysphagic patients, inappropriate dosage forms and inappropriate dosage form modifications. Forty-one dysphagic patients with an average age of 88.3 years were included in the study and 451 prescriptions were analysed. PIPs were widespread at admission, and hospitalization did not improve the situation in a statistically significant manner. The most common PIPs identified (>80%) were related to dosage form selection and modification. This study highlights a clear need for continuing medical education about prescription appropriateness and modification of solid dosage forms in patients with dysphagia.

Knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals relating to oral medicine use in swallowing-impaired patients: a scoping review

Objectives

Swallowing impairment is a growing problem that affects 16% of the overall population and can significantly affect medicine-taking. However, little is known about the knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals (HCPs) relating to swallowing-impaired (SI) patients. The aim of this scoping review was to investigate the knowledge and practice of HCPs in supporting SI patients with their medicine-taking, to identify their reference sources, and to describe their training and information needs.

Method

Databases searched included Scopus, Web of Science, Medline and Google Scholar from inception to August 2017. Qualitative and quantitative studies describing knowledge and practice of HCPs relating to medicine use in SI patients were included.

Key findings

The nine included studies, from an initial 142, involved nurses (nine studies), pharmacists (one study) and doctors (two studies) in hospitals or aged-care facilities. A knowledge deficit linked to lack of training was revealed, particularly with identification of modified-release dosage forms, medication that can/cannot be crushed, vehicle for safe dispersion, consequences of inappropriate modification, drug stability and legal aspects. Written information sources were named, but not used in practice. Pharmacists were the primary experts for consultation, and were involved in nurse education, and were members of multidisciplinary teams.

Conclusions

Knowledge in nurses was inadequate, with practice indicating potentially serious medication-related errors. Additional training, either undergraduate or as continuing professional development, is recommended. Information to guide safe medicine modification practice should be accessible to all practitioners. Pharmacists could take the lead role in offering training to nurses.

Swallowing difficulties with medication intake assessed with a novel self-report questionnaire in patients with systemic sclerosis - a cross-sectional population study

OBJECTIVES

To assess subjective swallowing difficulties (SD) with medication intake and their practical consequences in patients suffering from systemic sclerosis (SSc) with a novel self-report questionnaire.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Based on a systematic literature review, we developed a self-report questionnaire and got it approved by an expert panel. Subsequently, we sent the questionnaire by post mail to SSc patients of the European Center for the Rehabilitation of Scleroderma Rheinfelden, Switzerland.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients were eligible if they were diagnosed with SSc, treated at the center, and were of age ≥18 years at the study start.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence and pattern of SD with oral medication intake, including localization and intensity of complaints.

RESULTS

The questionnaire consisted of 30 items divided into five sections Complaints, Intensity, Localization, Coping strategies, and Adherence. Of the 64 SSc patients eligible in 2014, 43 (67%) returned the questionnaire. Twenty patients reported SD with medication intake (prevalence 47%), either currently (11; 26%) or in the past that had been overcome (9; 21%). Self-reported SD were localized mostly in the larynx (43%) and esophagus (34%). They were of moderate (45%) or strong to unbearable intensity (25%). Modification of the dosage form was reported in 40% of cases with SD. Adherence was poor for 20 (47%) patients and was not associated with SD (p=0.148).

CONCLUSION

Our novel self-report questionnaire is able to assess the pattern of complaints linked to medication intake, that is, localization and intensity. It may serve as a guide for health care professionals in selecting the most suitable therapy option, enabling tailored counseling to reduce inappropriate medication modifications.

Drug administration via enteral feeding tube in residential care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability: A focus group study on guideline implementation

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.

Knowledge of staff members of residential care facilities for individuals with intellectual disability on medication administration via enteral feeding tube

BACKGROUND

Guidelines for the safe administration of drugs through enteral feeding tube (EFT) are an important tool to minimise the risk of errors. This study aimed to investigate knowledge of these guidelines among staff of residential care facilities (RCF) for people with ID.

METHOD

Knowledge was assessed using a 13-item self-administered questionnaire. Questions reflected key aspects of guidelines on medication administration via EFT. All staff members that administer medication through EFT in Belgian RCFs were invited to participate (n = 553).

RESULTS

Nine out of 10 RCFs participated, and 356 questionnaires were collected. Almost all participants were women (96%), and most (82%) had a non-nursing educational background. Mean self-perceived knowledge of medication administration via EFT was 6.7 (on a 0-10 scale). On average, 5.7 (SD 1.9) out of 13 questions were answered correctly. A nursing degree and previous education on medication administration via EFT were associated with significantly higher scores. Guideline recommendations regarding rinsing of used medicine cups (90% correct answers) and preparation of hard gelatin capsules (89%) were known best. Those regarding the use of protective equipment when crushing toxic substances (4% correct answers), crushing of sustained release and enteric-coated dosage forms (6%), elevation of the patient's backrest (14%) and flushing of the EFT (15%) were known the least.

CONCLUSION

This study identified a substantial lack of knowledge of guidelines for drug administration through EFT among staff of RCFs for people with ID. Our findings call for tailored educational programmes in order to increase knowledge on this subject.

The knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of patients and their healthcare professionals around oral dosage form modification: A systematic review of the qualitative literature

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the available qualitative evidence on the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of adult patients, healthcare professionals and carers about oral dosage form modification.

DESIGN

A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies was undertaken, utilising the thematic synthesis approach.

DATA SOURCES

The following databases were searched from inception to September 2015: PubMed, Medline (EBSCO), EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest Databases, Scopus, Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR). Citation tracking and searching the references lists of included studies was also undertaken. Grey literature was searched using the OpenGrey database, internet searching and personal knowledge. An updated search was undertaken in June 2016.

REVIEW METHODS

Studies meeting the following criteria were eligible for inclusion; (i) used qualitative data collection and analysis methods; (ii) full-text was available in English; (iii) included adult patients who require oral dosage forms to be modified to meet their needs or; (iv) carers or healthcare professionals of patients who require oral dosage forms to be modified. Two reviewers independently appraised the quality of the included studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Checklist. A thematic synthesis was conducted and analytical themes were generated.

RESULTS

Of 5455 records screened, seven studies were eligible for inclusion; three involved healthcare professionals and the remaining four studies involved patients. Four analytical themes emerged from the thematic synthesis: (i) patient-centred individuality and variability; (ii) communication; (iii) knowledge and uncertainty and; (iv) complexity. The variability of individual patient's requirements, poor communication practices and lack of knowledge about oral dosage form modification, when combined with the complex and multi-faceted healthcare environment complicate decision making regarding oral dosage form modification and administration.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review has highlighted the key factors influencing the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of patients and healthcare professionals about oral dosage form modifications. The findings suggest that in order to optimise oral medicine modification practices the needs of individual patients should be routinely and systematically assessed and decision-making should be supported by evidence based recommendations with multidisciplinary input. Further research is needed to optimise oral dosage form modification practices and the factors identified in this review should be considered in the development of future interventions.

Conhecimento da enfermagem sobre cuidados a pacientes disfágicos internados em unidade de terapia intensiva

OBJETIVO: avaliar o conhecimento sobre cuidados com pacientes com disfagia pela equipe de enfermagem que atua em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva, visando à obtenção de um perfil de conhecimento da enfermagem sobre disfagia, e suas implicações para o cuidado dos pacientes internados em UTI que apresentam esta complicação clinica. MÉTODO: estudo quantitativo descritivo e comparativo entre dois grupos de profissionais de enfermagem (terapia intensiva e outros setores) que atuam em um Hospital Universitário, que responderam um questionário estruturado com questões sobre disfagia analisadas estatisticamente pelo teste de Fischer e Diferenças de Proporção. RESULTADOS: os profissionais dos dois grupos tinham conhecimento adequado sobre definição e complicações da disfagia, mas não sobre as fases, causas e cuidados específicos referentes à nutrição, medicação e higiene nos casos de disfagia; na auto-avaliação referiram pouco preparo na realização de alguns cuidados a pacientes disfágicos. CONCLUSÕES: a avaliação constatou que existe conhecimento teórico e prático parcial a respeito dos cuidados de enfermagem aos pacientes disfágicos, demonstrando a necessidade de educação permanente, especialmente nas terapias intensivas. Sugere-se criação de curso de especialização de enfermagem em disfagia.

Pharmaceutical and safety considerations of tablet crushing in patients undergoing enteral intubation

Medication in patients undergoing enteral intubation addresses various challenging issues considering safety and treatment efficiency. Ideally, other routes of administration (i.e. intravenous or intramuscular routes) or especially dedicated formulations should be used. However, in absence of liquid dosage form, tablets or pills must be crushed and suspended in a vehicle before administration. The administration of oral dosage forms by enteral tube is usually performed by the nursing staff facing (i) pharmaceutical relevance of crushing, (ii) loss and concomitant aero-contamination of drug substance, (iii) drug-nutriment interactions and (iv) enteral feeding tube clogging. In the present study, different combinations of either open or confined crushing and suspending protocols were compared by taking into account the crushing yield, the stability and granulometry of the solid oral form suspension and finally the extend of aerosol contamination during crushing and suspending. All protocols exhibited comparable crushing efficiency and suspending properties, but significantly higher aerosolisation of tablet particles was observed in both open crushing and suspending protocol. Therefore, both confined crushing and suspending protocol constitutes an efficient, time saving and safe alternative to the absence of available liquid dosage form for intubated patients.

Colesevelam hydrochloride for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Colesevelam hydrochloride is a bile acid sequestrant approved in January 2008 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in combination with a sulfonylurea, metformin, and/or insulin therapy.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article was to review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, adverse effects and tolerability, drug-drug interactions, contraindications/precautions, dosage and administration, pharmacoeconomics, and the overall role of colesevelam in the management of adult patients with type 2 DM.

METHODS

A literature search using MEDLINE (1966-October 27, 2008), PubMed (1950-October 27, 2008), Science Direct (1994-October 27, 2008), Web of Science (1980-October 27, 2008), American Diabetes Association Scientific Abstracts (2004-2008), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-October 27, 2008) was performed using the term colesevelam. English-language, original research and review articles were examined, and citations from these articles were assessed. Manufacturer prescribing information and the FDA review of the new drug application for colesevelam were also examined.

RESULTS

Colesevelam is a hydrophilic, water-insoluble polymer, with negligible absorption and systemic distribution, that is excreted primarily in the feces. Through a mechanism still under investigation, colesevelam effectively lowers glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) when used in combination with a sulfonylurea, metformin, and/or insulin therapy. Three completed, published Phase III clinical trials investigating colesevelam for the treatment of type 2 DM were evaluated for information, data, and conclusions. At dosing of 1.875 g BID or 3.75 g once daily in combination with one of the aforementioned agents versus placebo, reductions in HbA(1c) in all 3 Phase III clinical trials of colesevelam ranged from 0.5% to 0.7% (P < 0.02). In clinical trials, colesevelam was well tolerated, with hypoglycemia occurring in approximately 3% of studied patients.

CONCLUSIONS

When used in combination with a sulfonylurea, metformin, and/or insulin therapy, colesevelam has been reported to significantly reduce HbA(1c) in adult patients with type 2 DM. Colesevelam's role in the management of type 2 DM remains undefined, however; further investigation into its mechanism of action and long-term efficacy and safety should be performed.