Assessing knowledge levels of intensive care unit nurses and doctors regarding drug administration via enteral feeding tubes: a survey study.

Background/aim: Knowledge deficiency regarding appropriate drug administration through enteral feeding tubes (EFTs) is common in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge levels of nurses and doctors in ICUs about drug administration via EFTs.

Materials and methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional online survey. Survey questions were created using Google Forms and distributed to nurses and doctors in various ICUs across hospitals in İstanbul, Türkiye. The researchers designed the survey questions based on literature reviews and existing examples. The survey consisted of three sections and a total of 25 questions: the first section included seven demographic questions, while the second and third sections focused on participants' knowledge regarding drug administration via EFT and the selection of appropriate dosage forms, respectively.

Results: The online survey form was sent to 400 healthcare workers in ICUs, and 221 (55.2%) completed the survey. Among the participants, 66 (29.9%) were male, and 112 (50.6%) were doctors. There was no significant difference in the mean (± SD) of correct answers to 9 questions on drug administration between doctors (5.4 ± 1.3) and nurses (5.3 ± 1.4) (p = 0.471). In the mean (± SD) of correct answers to 9 questions on dosage form selection, doctors (3.9 ± 2.1) had higher scores than nurses (2.7 ± 1.9) (p < 0.001). The mean (± SD) of the responses given to all questions was found to be higher in doctors (9.4 ± 2.9) than in nurses (8 ± 2.7) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: In ICUs, the knowledge of nurses and doctors about drug administration and dosage form selection via EFT is at a low to moderate level. Enhancing collaboration among healthcare professionals may be effective in bridging this knowledge gap.