Re-inserting the patient’s GI tubes

The CNA informed the RN that she had re-inserted several GI tubes when she was employed at a nursing home, so felt comfortable re-inserting the patient’s GI tubes. The RN agreed to let the CNA insert the tube but advised her to not restart the feedings.

Approximately 45 minutes later, the CNA contacted the RN and affirmed that tube was re-inserted without difficulty and proper placement was confirmed.

When the nurse arrived at the patient’s home several hours later, she noticed that the patient was receiving tube feeding. When questioned, the daughter confirmed that she resumed the tube feedings shortly after the CNA left and denied being told to wait. The RN noted that the patient was complaining of abdominal pain and reported feeling nauseous.

On physical assessment, the patient’s abdomen was distended and positive for pain with abdominal palpation. After stopping the feeding, the nurse called 911 and the patient was transferred to the nearest hospital where she was diagnosed with peritonitis due to the GI tube being accidentally placed in the peritoneal space.

The family filed a lawsuit against the RN and the home healthcare agency.

The allegations against the RN included:

Wrongful delegation of patient care to unlicensed assistive personnel (e.g. CNA);

Failure to follow the agency’s policies and procedures on proper delegation, GI tube insertion and supervision of unlicensed assistive personnel;

Failure to contact the referring provider and obtain an order to reinsert the GI tube; and

Failure to assure that the patient and family had received appropriate communication related to re-inserting the GI tube and holding the GI feedings.

Provide summary of the case, including details of the case, the case outcomes, analysis of the case, and the ethical principle that applies to this case.