[A review of 18 home care patients who had gastrostomosis]

We reviewed 18 home care patients in order to examine complications caused from gastrostomosis and to determine whether or not some of the patients require a possible re-hospitalization due to a respiratory illness primarily caused by pneumonia. We observed a reduction in the frequency of hospitalization after gastrostomosis. We also obtained good results in that total hospitalization days and days per hospitalization were decreased. Gastrostomosis also improved the nourishment of the patients. We were able to take care of the home care patients without having major problems caused by complications, except for one incidence where the patient removed a gastric fitula tube by himself. Our study revealed that gastrostomosis is very effective and helpful in the continuation of home care for a long period of time.