Longitudinal complications associated with PEG: Rate and severity of 30-day and 1-year complications experienced by patients after primary PEG insertion.

Background And Aims: Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) feeding is utilised in patients with exceptionally poor oral intake but is associated with both short and long-term complications. This study reviews longitudinal PEG complications and compares key subgroups.

Methods: Single-centre retrospective observational study of all patients receiving PEG insertion between January 2016 and December 2018.

Survey of nurses' knowledge and practice regarding medication administration using enteral tubes.

Aim And Objectives: To identify the practice variation of the individual practitioners in medications' formulation modification for patients using enteral feeding tubing and to support health practitioners involved in this process.

Background: Blockage of enteral tubes is a common problem that can sometimes be resolved but may require replacement of the tube. Medications are a common culprit.

Cost analysis of cetuximab (Erbitux) plus radiotherapy (ERT) versus concomitant cisplatin plus radiotherapy (CRT) within an NHS oncology unit (single institution): a pilot study.

Objective: The aim of this feasibility study is to define the resource effectiveness of cetuximab vs cisplatin given concomitantly with radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma within a National Health Service clinical oncology unit.

Methods: 20 patients with Stage 3 or 4 head and neck squamous cell cancers were randomized to receive either cetuximab with radiotherapy (ERT) or cisplatin with radiotherapy concurrent with external beam radiotherapy 70 Gy in 35 fractions on a 1 : 1 basis over a 12-month duration. The study compared the resource utilization of ERT vs cisplatin with radiotherapy taking into account drug costs, clinical management and the costs of managing treatment-related toxicity from first fraction of radiotherapy to 6 months after the completion of therapy.

Nutritional screening: a community dietitian's perspective.

Malnutrition in the UK is well documented and highlighted by the British Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, who advocate the use of a screening tool to facilitate the identification and subsequent management of undernutrition. Nurses are ideally placed to support this process, but their role has many conflicting priorities. For nurses working in the community, there also exists the problem of identifying those who are at risk of undernutrition but remain unknown to nursing services.

An evaluation of the "cut and push" method of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) removal.

Background: This study aimed to establish whether 15-Fr gauge percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes can be safely removed by "cut and push."

Methods: Patients were prospectively recruited who were found to be without significant intestinal dysfunction requiring removal of Freka (Fresenius Kabi) 15-Fr gauge PEG tubes. The PEG tube was cut close to the stoma and the remnant pushed into the gastric lumen with a 14-Fr nasogastric tube.