Nasogastric tube feeding: family-centred nursing care is vital

Sometimes a child’s reliance on medical technology can have a negative effect on families, and children's nurses' communication, support and care is crucial

It is not news that some babies, children and young people rely on technologies to sustain or enhance their lives. Sometimes, though, technology dependence comes at a cost and can have a negative effect on family experience, as our article Checking nasogastric tube safety in children cared for in the community: a re-examination of the evidence base outlines.

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Understanding the needs of children and families, and the ability to practise family-centred care, is what drew me into a career in children’s nursing. Working as a community children’s nurse (CCN) opened my eyes to the challenges faced daily by families of children with technology dependence.

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Technologies, including ventilators, enteral feeding pumps and infusion devices are used to enable children to be cared for out of hospital. They enable children to be at home, to attend school, to play… until they do not.

Providing care that is safe, responsive, evidence-based, child-focused and family centred

While working with CCN colleagues in preparing our nasogastric tube article, we shared our experiences of supporting families whose lives are negatively affected by the technologies their children rely on.

‘As children’s nurses we talk about being family centred, but sometimes this does not translate into practice’

The case study in the article describes the challenges faced by Hannah and Pete, the parents of Louie*, who had a nasogastric tube. Hannah faced many challenges, including decisions about which child to be with – Louie, in hospital, or her two-year-old daughter, at home, for 47 days.

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As children’s nurses we talk about being family centred, but sometimes this does not translate into practice. Our paper was written by like-minded nurses, committed to improving family experience, critically reflecting on our practice, and exploring options for care, using existing evidence.

Patient safety is paramount, but as advocates for children and families it is our responsibility to ensure we are providing care that is safe, responsive, evidence-based, child-focused and family centred.

This is at the heart of children’s nursing.

* Names given with parental permission

Michael Tatterton is consultant editor, Nursing Children and Young People