Education on Careful Hand Feeding for Caregivers and Health Care Workers in Palliative Care Unit

Abstract Description

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Authors (including presenting author) :

Chang WS (1), Lam WP (1), Ma WF (2), Liu WK (2), Ko PS (3), Au CY (1)

Affiliation :

(1)Palliative Care Unit, Haven of Hope Hospital (2) Department of Medical & Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital (3) Nursing Services Division, United Christian Hospital

Introduction :

Dysphagia and swallowing problems are common in palliative care patients. A pilot study to promote caregivers and healthcare workers on careful hand feeding was launched from November 2017 to January 2018 in Haven of Hope Hospital and United Christian Hospital. The study aimed to promote patient safety and empower feeding skills to caregivers and healthcare workers.

Objectives :

1. To enhance the knowledge and skills of caregivers and healthcare workers on careful hand feeding. 2. To empower caregivers and healthcare workers and promote their confidence. 3. To maximize comfort to patients and decrease risk of aspiration through proper technique.

Methodology :

An education leaflet and a 20-minute video on the pathology of dysphagia and technique of careful hand feeding were used as teaching material. All participants joined an education program including reading the leaflet, watching the video and a return demonstration on feeding skills. Comments on the video were collected by written evaluation form and the feeding skills were rated by a 14-item audit form with seven critical items. Participants must demonstrate the skills in critical items in order to pass the return demonstration assessment. Participants who failed the return demonstration assessment were provided with further face to face explanation and demonstration, and followed by return demonstration again.

Result & Outcome :

Totally 45 participants including 17 personal care assistants, 8 student nurses and 20 caregivers were recruited in the pilot study. Due to limitation on video broadcasting facilities in ward setting, 10 of the participants only received education by using the leaflet. For the video education participants, all agreed their understanding on careful hand feeding was improved, they were more able to value the importance of careful hand feeding, and they found the contents of video were easy to understand. All participants (100%) who received video education passed the return demonstration assessment while only 60% of those who received leaflet education only passed. Conclusion: Video education and return demonstration were effective in promoting careful hand feeding for caregivers and healthcare workers. It is worthwhile to promote video education program in future.