Parents Perspective on Introducing Naso-Gastric Tube Feeding at Home for Babies with Bronchiolitis

Introduction: Telephone interviews with parents were conducted as part of a hospital-wide, multi-professional pilot project to introduce naso-gastric tube (NGT) feeding at home for babies with feeding difficulties due to bronchiolitis, with the aims of improving parent experience, shortening length of stay in hospital and empowering parents to participate in their child’s care.

Method: We identified 42 patients who met our inclusion criteria of being admitted to hospital for NGT feeding due to bronchiolitis from September 2017- March 2018. A survey letter to parents explained the project intentions, reason for the interviews and an option to opt out.

The interview comprised 5 closed questions, followed by open questions to explore the answers. Questions were targeted at understanding ideas, concerns and expectations of the proposed project, with respect to parents’ previous hospital experience.

Response themes: Overall response to the project was positive, with the concept of NGT feeding at home being welcomed by most interviewees. Reasons included being able to care for baby in a relaxed environment with less disruption to daily routine, feeling empowered and reduced risk of exposure to other infections in hospital. 18 interviewees said they would take up the offer to be NGT trained in order to increase the likelihood of early discharge from hospital, provided sufficient training and community support was provided.

Parents’ mains concerns revolved around points of contact outside weekday hours, especially for accessing trouble-shooting advice (e.g. NGT blockage/dislodgement). The proposition of training packs to be given as part of the service, covering these matters, was welcomed.

Outcome: These responses were shared at the final multi-professional meeting for the project, which included representatives of hospital management. This contributed to approval and progression of the pilot project which ran from October 2018 to March 2019.