Gastrostomy tube infections in a community hospital

Background: Percutaneous gastric feeding tubes are becoming increasingly more common to provide nutrition in debilitated patients, while they dercrease the risk of aspiration associated with nasogastric tubes. Methods: We reviewed infectious complications of 372 feeding gastrostomy tubes placed in a small urban community hospital over a recent period. Results: In our study there was an infection rate of 4.8%. Four serious infections occurred: two cases of peritonitis and two deep abscesses, but there were no infectious deaths. The most common infecting organisms were staphylococci, gram-negative bacteria, and yeast. Most infections required treatment with parenteral antibiotics, prolonging hospitalization. Two of 17 infected tubes required removal. Conclusion: Percutaneous gastrostomy tubes can produce life-threatening infections and deserve serious attention by ICPs in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home care services. These tubes should only be inserted if they extend meaningful life in patients. Protocols are needed for the care of gastrostomy tubes, and infections must be treated as early and as aggressively as possible to avoid serious consequences.