Nasogastric tube feeding children and young people with restraint

Abstract

The number of children and young people with eating disorders admitted to general paediatric care is increasing. These patients occasionally require restrictive physical interventions, including nasogastric tube feeding with restraint if indicated. Guidance exists to support nurses caring for these children and young people. However, in our experience, the reality often falls short of what is recommended; therefore, nurses need to be better prepared and supported to meet their own and patients' needs.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

In this article…

• How eating disorders are assessed and treated among children and young people

• The guidance available for paediatric nurses around nasogastric tube feeding

• Recommendations to improve practice and for further research

Key points

There has been an increase in admissions of children and young people with eating disorders to the acute setting

Guidance highlights the importance of multidisciplinary working when treating these patients

If a patient refuses treatment, it can be administered against their wishes under the Mental Health Act 1983

Restraining patients can be traumatic for both them and the staff involved

Following incidents of restraint, staff debriefs should be made available and accessed