Rationale and key points

In hospitals and nursing homes, the maintenance of feeding tubes used in enteral nutrition, such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) (the placement of a feeding tube directly into the stomach through the abdominal wall), is often a nursing responsibility. Therefore, it is vital nurses understand how to care for this patient group safely and effectively. Incorrect PEG procedures, inadequate infection prevention and control practices, and a lack of appropriate stoma care, can negatively affect patient outcomes. Nurses administering enteral feeding via PEG must have the knowledge and skills required to do so safely and must work within their level of competence.

• Enteral nutrition such as PEG aims to meet the nutritional requirements of patients who have an intact gastrointestinal (GI) tract but whose oral intake is inadequate.

• Management of the PEG feeding tube and care of the stoma site are vital, and nurses should be able to recognise common complications of PEG feeding.

• A non-touch technique should be used when administering enteral feed via PEG to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.

Reflective activity

‘How to’ articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of:

• How this article might improve your practice when administering enteral feed via PEG.

• How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues about safe enteral feeding with PEG.