Medical criteria to indicate and remove alternative feeding routes in hospitalized older adults

Queiroz, Mariana Rebeka Gomes; Moura, Catharina Ximenes de; Marinho, Julia da Silva; Maggioni, Luiza

doi:10.1590/1982-0216/20202262120

ABSTRACT

Purpose:

to describe the medical criteria and the role of the speech therapist’s procedure in indicating and removing alternative feeding routes in older adults.

Methods:

a cross-sectional study conducted with the medical team of a public hospital. A questionnaire was administered with items on the medical criteria to indicate and remove alternative feeding routes and on the speech therapist’s work. Descriptive statistics were used for categorical variables in relative and absolute frequencies.

Results:

the data obtained from the participation of the 59 physicians enabled the main criteria for the indication of an alternative feeding route to be defined as follows: consciousness level, clinical condition, nutritional status, respiratory condition, and dysphagia assessment by a speech therapist. The main criteria for the removal of the alternative feeding route were the stable clinical and respiratory conditions, adequate nutritional support, and recommendation by a speech therapist.

Conclusion:

the clinical and respiratory conditions, nutritional status, and the speech therapist’s procedure were the main criteria considered by the medical team in the decisions to indicate and remove the alternative feeding route. The work of the speech therapist was relevant in both medical decisions, regarding the alternative feeding route in older patients.

Keywords:
Aged; Enteral Nutrition; Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

[1] Corresponding address: Mariana Rebeka Gomes Queiroz, Rua Brigadeiro Antonio Sampaio, 2, Curado, CEP: 50950-005 - Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, E-mail: marianaqueiroz@hotmail.com

Variables		N	%
Sex	Males	27	45.8
Sex	Females	32	54.2
Age	18-29 years	28	47.5
	30-49 years	29	49.2
	50-60 years	2	3.4
Position	Medical preceptor	22	37.3
Position	Medical resident	37	62.7
Professional training	Specialization	6	10.2
	Medical residency	49	83.1
	Master’s degree	3	5.1
	Doctor’s degree	1	1.7
Time of experience	Up to 5 years	37	62.7
	5 to 10 years	13	22.0
	10 to 20 years	5	8.5
	Over 20 years	4	6.8
Department	ICUs	10	17.0
Department	Wards	49	83.0

Criteria		N	%
Stable clinical condition	Yes	53	89.8
Stable clinical condition	No	6	10.2
Stable respiratory pattern	Yes	57	96.6
Stable respiratory pattern	No	2	3.4
Adequate nutritional support	Yes	54	91.5
Adequate nutritional support	No	5	8.5
Recommendation from a speech therapist	Yes	57	96.6
Recommendation from a speech therapist	No	2	3.4
Hospital discharge	Yes	17	28.8
Hospital discharge	No	42	71.2
Comfort diet	Yes	36	61
Comfort diet	No	23	39