Good practices in the preparation and administration drugs given via enteral tube or nutritional fistula

Introduction
The purpose of this study was to present recommendations on good practice of preparation and delivery of medical products to the digestive system via an enteral tube or nutritional fistula.

Material and methods
A literature review was carried out. The following databases were searched: PubMed, OVID, EBSCO, and Web of Science. The review included Polish and English literature. Considering the keyword criteria, 20 articles were included in the analysis.

Results
In the process of preparing drugs administered to the gastrointestinal tract through artificial nutritional access, the form of the administered drug should always be taken into account (tablet, capsule, dissolve tablet, capsule with pellets, syrup). The method of preparation and handling of the medicinal product depends on the location of the feeding fistula. Safety in administering and preparing a medicine includes proper suspension of the drug substance in a suitable solvent. Nurses should always take into consideration other safety rules: stop feeding for at least 30 minutes before administering drugs, avoid the administration of several drugs at the same time, flush the artificial nutritional access each time.

Conclusions
Based on the review, the process of proper preparation and administration of medicinal products via a nutritional fistula depends on many factors. If the medicine does not exist in a form compatible with administration via artificial enteral access, this issue should be discussed with other members of the therapeutic team.