Oral medication administration in patients with restrictions on oral intake-A snapshot survey

Abstract

Aim: To determine clinical staff's understanding of managing oral medications in patients with restrictions on oral intake. Method: An online survey was designed consisting of 4 scenarios featuring a patient who was fasting pre-surgery, day 1 post-surgery, nil-by-mouth after stroke or had a nasogastric feeding tube in situ. The target population was clinical staff (nursing, medical, pharmacy, dietetics, speech pathology) involved in the management of oral medications and/or patients' oral intake. Medications studied were: aspirin (Cartia) 100 mg mane; gliclazide (Diamicron MR) 60 mg mane; atorvastatin (Lipitor) 40 mg mane; metoprolol (Betaloc) 50 mg bd; levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet CR) 200/50..