Introducing a feeding tube kit bag and passport for patients with a gastrostomy

One of my patients, Helen (not her real name), had an established balloon gastrostomy tube in place when she noticed the tube had become displaced while at home. It was the weekend, so no clinical nutrition nurse specialists (CNNSs) were on duty to call. She therefore attended the emergency department (ED) of her local hospital. On arrival, the staff were unsure of what to do with the tube and had no equipment to try to replace it. They called in a consultant from home who reinserted the existing tube and attempted to inflate the balloon, but it was clear that the balloon had perished. As they had no alternative tube, they suggested to Helen that she should be admitted to hospital. Helen refused because she was able to maintain her nutritional intake orally to an extent. So ED staff taped her tube down and she went home.

On Monday morning, Helen called the CNNS, who attended at home. She required a tube change and a week of antibiotics.