DECISION-MAKING AND OUTCOMES FOR PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY - A PILOT-STUDY

We undertook a retrospective review of 25 patients who had undergone p ercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Data regarding the clinical courses were collected, and a questionnaire was administered to patien ts when possible; in most cases the individual responsible for care an swered questions. We pinpointed concerns relevant to the decision-maki ng process. In a substantial proportion of cases, the clinical courses subsequent to PEG were poor. Of 21 surrogates interviewed, 33% were u ncertain that proceeding to nutritional support via PEG had been the r ight decision. Findings indicate a need to improve the process by whic h decisions to treat by PEG are made, ideally in eluding better progno stic information.