April 11, 2024The Northern Health Dietetics Department were successful in obtaining a Department of Health Allied Health Advanced Practice Grant for the development of an Advanced Practice Dietitian role for Paediatric Nasogastric Tube Insertion and Management.
The Advanced Practice Grant was submitted due to an increased number of paediatric patients at Northern Health requiring home enteral nutrition via a nasogastric tube (NGT). This rise has led to heightened pressure on both the Emergency Department and Ward 2, particularly when NGTs dislodge and require reinsertion.
The grant supported the development of a training and credentialing procedure for paediatric dietitians to upskill in the reinsertion of NGTs to help meet the increased demand.
The additional training and credentialing resources were developed and implemented with support from paediatric nursing and medical staff. Kelly Alysandratos, Paediatric Clinical Nurse Educator, has played a pivotal role in supervising dietitians, with support from Ward 2 paediatric nursing staff, whilst Dr Rami Subhi, Clinic Director, Paediatrics, provided medical support.
Tarryn Thom, Project Lead & Senior Paediatric Dietitian, has already completed her credentialing and is now able to independently insert NGTs for paediatric patients receiving home enteral nutrition via a nasogastric tube. Hannah Lunny, Senior Paediatric Dietitian, has also commenced her training with the aim of becoming credentialed in the next few months.
Credentialing of paediatric dietitians to insert NGTs is a Victorian first and demonstrates the importance of innovation and collaboration in responding to increased service demands and improving patient care.
“Mastering a new skill requires great planning, patience and determination. I’m proud of how this has been demonstrated in the interdisciplinary collaboration in paediatric nasogastric management, achieving rewards and improving care to our youngest clients,” said Ms Alysandratos.
Following the completion of credentialing, paediatric dietitians have commenced a Dietitian-led NGT clinic which operates between the hours of 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday.
“The clinic helped us create an alternative pathway for NGT reinsertions for Paediatric Home Enteral Nutrition patients at Northern Health, which is safe, patient-centred and improves coordination of care,” said Ms Thom.
This project would have not been successful without the support of key stakeholders from the Dietetics Department, Nursing Education, Paediatric Medical Team, Ward 2 Paediatric Nursing Staff and the Allied Health Research Team, along with the Allied Health Credentialing and Scope of Practice Committee and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Quality and Risk Management Committee.
Pictured in featured image (L-R): Rachael Evans, Associate Director Dietetics, Tarryn Thom, Senior Paediatric Dietitian, Talya Cortinovis, Grade 4 Senior Dietitian and Hannah Lunny, Senior Paediatric Dietitian.
