Via alternativa de alimentação: nível de conhecimento e caracterização dos usuários em um hospital universitário

Abstract

Objective: To characterize patients using alternative feeding routes of University Hospital of Lagarto SE (HUL), as well as to evaluate the level of knowledge of their caregivers about this device. Method: Exploratory cross-sectional study with quantitative data analysis, approved by the Sergipe Ethics Committee (CAAE 82019518.5.000.5546) under the opinion 2,495,597. Adult patients of both sexes, admitted to the HUL were included in the wards of the Clinical Medical and Emergency Room -Critical Ward (Yellow Ward) and their respective companions. Results: 63 patients and their caregivers participated in the research. Most of the patients were female, 33 (52,4%), and the average age was 74.6 years, with a prevalence of neurological diseases 33 (52,4%). Regarding the type of nutritional therapy, the nasoenteral tube was the most used 57 (90,5%). Regarding caregivers 49 (77,8%) were female with a mean age of 40.9 years. Regarding the questions directed to them, almost half 31, (49,2%), missed at least one of the closed questions configuring non-full knowledge, as to the term dysphagia 60 (95,2%) did not know what it was about. Conclusion: In this study, the alternative route users were mostly elderly, with mild female prevalence and neurological diagnosis. The most commonly used alternative route was the nasoenteric tube. Regarding caregivers' knowledge of the alternative route of feeding, nearly half missed one or more issues related to basic device handling and care concepts, and the vast majority could not define dysphagia, the main reason for use.