INTRODUCTION: The literature documents numerous inconveniences of drug administration through feeding tubes. Actions to improve the quality of this practice are of great importance. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the implementation process and results of an Integrated Program to improve drug administration through feeding tubes in a Brazilian general hospital. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of a clinic quality improvement program which proceeded in four steps: (1) design of a data base with technical characteristics of oral drugs; (2) application of an identification label on non-crushable tablets; (3) evaluation, through focal groups, of nursing technicians' knowledge of drug administration through feeding tubes, and formal training; (4) prescription review of patients prescribed enteral nutrition and subsequent pharmaceutical intervention. RESULTS: A list with 131 oral drugs used within the hospital was compiled with recommendations for their administration through feeding tubes. Seven non-crushable drugs were identified with "do not crush" labels. Formal training regarding drug administration through feeding tubes was elaborated incorporating findings from the focal groups and applied to the nursing team. Over eight months, we analyzed 888 prescriptions written for 185 patients and addressed 263 pharmaceutical interventions to the medical team (which they accepted in 100% of the cases), and 105 interventions to the nursing team. CONCLUSIONS: Qualification programs with multiple strategies, as the one described here, may directly improve drug administration through feeding tubes and help to solve and prevent problems related to this practice.
INTRODUCTION: The literature documents numerous inconveniences of drug administration through feeding tubes. Actions to improve the quality of this practice are of great importance. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the implementation process and results of an Integrated Program to improve drug administration through feeding tubes in a Brazilian general hospital. METHODS: This is a descriptive study of a clinic quality improvement program which proceeded in four steps: (1) design of a data base with technical characteristics of oral drugs; (2) application of an identification label on non-crushable tablets; (3) evaluation, through focal groups, of nursing technicians' knowledge of drug administration through feeding tubes, and formal training; (4) prescription review of patients prescribed enteral nutrition and subsequent pharmaceutical intervention. RESULTS: A list with 131 oral drugs used within the hospital was compiled with recommendations for their administration through feeding tubes. Seven non-crushable drugs were identified with "do not crush" labels. Formal training regarding drug administration through feeding tubes was elaborated incorporating findings from the focal groups and applied to the nursing team. Over eight months, we analyzed 888 prescriptions written for 185 patients and addressed 263 pharmaceutical interventions to the medical team (which they accepted in 100% of the cases), and 105 interventions to the nursing team. CONCLUSIONS: Qualification programs with multiple strategies, as the one described here, may directly improve drug administration through feeding tubes and help to solve and prevent problems related to this practice.