A neonatal intensive care nurse experience of an automated chyme reinfusion therapy device: A case report describing use in a neonate with necrotising enterocolitis

TL;DR

An automated chyme reinfusion therapy device improved nursing workflows and clinical outcomes for a neonate with intestinal failure.

Contribution

The study introduces an automated CRT system that enhances nursing efficiency and parental involvement in neonatal care.

Findings

The automated CRT system improved nursing workflow and reduced the messiness of CRT administration.

Parents were able to manage the system with minimal training while in the NICU.

The neonate experienced significant weight gain and stopped needing parenteral nutrition.

Abstract

Neonatal intestinal failure related to double enterostomies is rare and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Chyme reinfusion therapy (CRT) remediates high outputs and improves nutrition and electrolyte balance of neonates. Low adoption of CRT due to the messy administration has constrained use of this beneficial therapy. An automated CRT system is now available to improve nursing workflow.

This case report explores a neonatal intensive care nurse experience of managing a neonate using CRT with The Insides® Neo (The Insides Company, New Zealand). Their parents learnt to use the system with their child while they were in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Nursing workflow improved along with the parents only requiring a short training period to manage the system. Dramatic weight gain and cessation of parenteral nutrition were achieved.

The automated CRT system refined the administration of CRT allowing for improved nursing workflows, increased parental contact with their child, and ameliorated clinical outcomes.

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