Be R.E.A.D.Y. safety initiative to help reduce tube feeding errors in hospitalized kids

"Be R.E.A.D.Y." Initiative Drives Awareness to Help Reduce Tube Feeding Errors in Kids

In partnership with the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.), Nestle HealthCare Nutrition launched the "Be R.E.A.D.Y." safety initiative at A.S.P.E.N.'s Clinical Nutrition Week this week to educate pediatric health care professionals on safe enteral (tube) feeding practices for hospitalized kids.

Be R.E.A.D.Y. is the third in a series of safety-focused programs that have been implemented in hospitals nationwide. This latest initiative focuses on the youngest patient population and uses a step-by-step approach presented in poster format with kid-friendly graphics.

These steps include:

• Right patient, right product, right tube: Trace tubing back to origin
• Early start of enteral feeding: Begin feedings within the first 24-48 hours, per protocol
• Assure proper preparation and handling: Use sterile, liquid enteral nutrition (EN) formulas over powders
• Deliver formula appropriately: Follow recommended hangtimes
• Your safety checklist: Use equipment designed to reduce risk of tubing misconnections, etc.

Tubing and catheter misconnection errors are an important and under-reported problem in the health care setting. Many of the misconnection cases involve universal luer connectors—small devices used in the connection of many medical components and accessories. These universal connectors contribute to errors because they allow staff to connect normally incompatible tubes; an error that can cause serious injury.

Since 2008, Nestle HealthCare Nutrition has incorporated the SpikeRight® enteral specific port into its closed tube feeding products to help reduce the risk of tubing misconnections.

"One tubing misconnection can be fatal, and that is one too many," said Carol Siegel, MS, RD, head of medical affairs for Nestle HealthCare Nutrition. "Our ongoing safety program has been used by thousands of health care practitioners nationwide. Nothing is more important than helping protect patients."

Our safety initiatives began in 2009 when Nestle HealthCare Nutrition partnered with A.S.P.E.N. to launch "Be A.L.E.R.T.," the company's first program to promote safe enteral feeding practices. Be A.L.E.R.T was recently recognized by The American Society for Association Executives with its Associations Advance America Award. This award recognizes programs that exemplify the vital role associations and partners play in improving the quality of life in communities across the country.

In 2010, Nestle HealthCare Nutrition and A.S.P.E.N. launched Be A.W.A.R.E. to bring additional attention to safe enteral medication delivery. To date, more than 40,000 Be A.W.A.R.E. and A.L.E.R.T. safety posters have been distributed to health care facilities across the country.

"The Be R.E.A.D.Y. program and its predecessors are an important piece in the overall patient safety puzzle," said Peggi Guenter, PhD, RN, CNSN, director for clinical practice, advocacy, and research affairs at A.S.P.E.N. "Be. R.E.A.D.Y. addresses the critical steps needed to achieve safe enteral feeding in children and illustrates the specific concerns that directly relate to the care of that patient population in an easy-to-read guide for health care practitioners."