Gastrostomy management by the nursing team in a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil: a best practice implementation project.

Introduction: The efficient and effective management of gastrostomy patients should be based on best practices.

Objective: This project aimed to improve gastrostomy management in a semi-intensive care unit of a private hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: This study followed the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework. The JBI approach to evidence implementation is grounded in an audit, feedback, and re-audit strategy. A baseline audit was conducted to measure current practices against recommended best practices. Feedback from the audit was used to identify barriers and design implement strategies to improve practice. A follow-up audit was then conducted to measure changes in compliance with best practices.

Results: The baseline audit involved an evaluation of 33 nurses and 90 nursing technicians, as well as 10 gastrostomy patients. The follow-up audit evaluated 37 nurses and 80 nursing technicians, as well as 10 gastrostomy patients. The follow-up audit revealed that compliance increased to 90% for three of the eight criteria. For the remainder, it varied between 20% and 50%.

Conclusion: The baseline audit and feedback strategy led to improved compliance in five of the eight criteria. Future audits will be necessary to maintain these results.

Spanish abstract: http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A259.