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Published on: January 27, 2019
Implementation and evaluation of a home gavage program for preterm infants
1Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA. ldsturm@gundluth.org
Insights
Home gavage feeding safely supports preterm infant growth, with parents reporting satisfaction and significant cost savings due to shorter hospital stays.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric nutrition
Background:
- Preterm infants often require specialized feeding support.
- Home gavage feeding offers an alternative to prolonged hospitalization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implementation and outcomes of a home gavage program for preterm infants.
- To assess the safety, parental satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness of home gavage.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart reviews and mailed questionnaires were used.
- Infant physiologic progress, weight change, and hospital readmissions were assessed.
- Parental experiences and satisfaction with the home gavage program were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Infants on home gavage gained an average of 31 gm/day.
- No hospital readmissions were linked to home gavage feeding.
- Parents reported high satisfaction with the program.
Conclusions:
- Home gavage is a safe and effective feeding method for select preterm infants.
- The program leads to significant cost savings through reduced hospital stays.
- Parental involvement in home gavage is feasible and well-received.
Purpose:
To describe the implementation and evaluation of a home gavage program for preterm infants.
Design:
Retrospective chart reviews were used to assess the physiologic progress of infants, and retrospective written questionnaires were administered by mail to families participating in home gavage to assess their experience and solicit advice.
Sample:
One hundred forty-three infants born at <37 weeks gestational age with a primary diagnosis of prematurity who met criteria for home gavage, of whom 52 were given home gavage and 91 attained full oral feedings in intensive care before discharge.
Main Outcome Variables:
The safety of home gavage was evaluated by weight change and hospital readmission. Parental satisfaction was assessed by the mailed survey. Cost savings were also evaluated.
Results:
Infants gained and average of 31 gm/day while receiving home gavage. No hospital readmissions were related to home gavage. Parents expressed satisfaction with the home gavage program. There was an average savings of $12,428 per infant related to shorter hospital stays.
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