Gastroparesis Patient Controls Her Own Pain and Nausea Using the Macy Catheter

The Macy Catheter has been a great intervention for both my patient and her husband as the primary caregiver.

Debra

Registered Nurse, Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care

Debra’s Nursing Background

I am an RN, CHPN and have worked in hospice for over 3 years.

I began my nursing career working in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) 7 years ago. During this time, I worked with different hospice nurses who were coordinating care for our patients at the SNF.

I really enjoyed taking care of the hospice patients and working with these special caregivers, which is how I ended up transitioning to become a hospice nurse at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care!

Patient Frequents the Emergency Department

My patient is a 68-year-old female with a primary diagnosis of Gastroparesis.

She was experiencing high levels of pain and nausea, which were the main symptoms we were always working to help control for her.

When she was first admitted to Rainbow Hospice Care, she was receiving bolus feedings and medications via her J-tube.

She had a long history of clogging up her J-Tube and was frustrated with the inconvenience and discomfort associated with going to the Emergency Department regularly to get it replaced.

The Macy Catheter Proves Easy to Use and Effective

After receiving the Macy Catheter training, I decided to introduce the concept of the catheter to the patient and her primary caregiver: her husband.

I shared that the Macy Catheter would be an alternative method for medication administration that would help eliminate the risk of clogging up the J-tube.

All the medications she was taking at the time (Lorazepam, Dilaudid, Haldol) are well absorbed with excellent results when administered via the catheter.

My patient and her husband were very open to giving the catheter a try.

Macy Catheter Works Better Than J-Tube

After educating my patient and her husband, I quickly inserted the catheter. Much to my surprise, she said she didn’t feel a thing!

Her husband is comfortable giving her medications via the catheter. The catheter is reinserted if it comes out with a bowel movement.

The patient continues to use the Macy Catheter with success. She even reports higher levels of both pain and nausea control with the medications administered rectally (vs. her J-tube).

The Macy Catheter has been a great intervention for both my patient and her husband as the primary caregiver.

Rectal Catheter Enables Patient to Build Log Cabin While on Hospice Care

Rectal Catheter Enables Patient to Build Log Cabin While on Hospice Care

Rectal Catheter is the Most Dignified Administration Option

Rectal Catheter is the Most Dignified Administration Option

Rectal Catheter Provides More Reliable and Dignified Administration Than Sublingual

Rectal Catheter Provides More Reliable and Dignified Administration Than Sublingual

Rectal Catheter is More Effective Than Pain Pumps & Sublingual

Rectal Catheter is More Effective Than Pain Pumps & Sublingual

Rectal Catheter Decreases Cost & Nursing Time at Unity Hospice

Rectal Catheter Decreases Cost & Nursing Time at Unity Hospice

Hospice Director Champions Rectal Catheter After Device Helps His Mom

Hospice Director Champions Rectal Catheter After Device Helps His Mom

Rectal Catheter Empowers Both Nurses and Families at Unity Hospice

Rectal Catheter Empowers Both Nurses and Families at Unity Hospice

Rectal Catheter Helps Patients Remain in Their Setting of Choice

Rectal Catheter Helps Patients Remain in Their Setting of Choice

A Hospice Nurse Explains How a Rectal Catheter Empowers Nurses

A Hospice Nurse Explains How a Rectal Catheter Empowers Nurses

Rectal Catheter Reduces Cost While Improving Patient Care

Rectal Catheter Reduces Cost While Improving Patient Care

The Rectal Route– More Dignified than Sublingual

The Rectal Route– More Dignified than Sublingual

Navigating a Medication Shortage Using a Rectal Catheter

Navigating a Medication Shortage Using a Rectal Catheter

Rectal Catheter Proves More Effective Than Sublingual Administration

Rectal Catheter Proves More Effective Than Sublingual Administration

Caregiver’s Burden of Care Decreased by Rectal Catheter

Caregiver’s Burden of Care Decreased by Rectal Catheter

Rectal Route Proves Simpler and More Effective Than Oral

Rectal Route Proves Simpler and More Effective Than Oral

How to Introduce a Rectal Catheter to Concerned Caregivers

How to Introduce a Rectal Catheter to Concerned Caregivers

Hospice Nurse Finds Rectal Catheter More Effective Than IV

Hospice Nurse Finds Rectal Catheter More Effective Than IV

VP of Clinical Excellence Advocates for Rectal Catheter

VP of Clinical Excellence Advocates for Rectal Catheter

Patients are willing to try the rectal route. Are nurses?

Patients are willing to try the rectal route. Are nurses?

If Your Patient Can’t Swallow, Try the Rectal Route

If Your Patient Can’t Swallow, Try the Rectal Route

Using a Rectal Catheter Despite Cultural Pushback

Using a Rectal Catheter Despite Cultural Pushback

Trying the Rectal Route Because It Works

Trying the Rectal Route Because It Works

Reduce Medication Waste by Trying the Rectal Route

Reduce Medication Waste by Trying the Rectal Route

Rectal Catheter Allows for More Caregiver Involvement

Rectal Catheter Allows for More Caregiver Involvement

Patient’s wish to receive hydration and remain at home realized by using the Macy Catheter

Patient’s wish to receive hydration and remain at home realized by using the Macy Catheter

Rectal Catheter Allows Patients to Remain in Their Setting of Choice

Rectal Catheter Allows Patients to Remain in Their Setting of Choice

Gastroparesis Patient Controls Her Own Pain and Nausea Using the Macy Catheter

Gastroparesis Patient Controls Her Own Pain and Nausea Using the Macy Catheter

Resolving Status Epilepticus in Minutes and Allowing for Caregiver Involvement at the Bedside

Resolving Status Epilepticus in Minutes and Allowing for Caregiver Involvement at the Bedside

Supporting Families of Distressed Patients and Circumventing Rectal Route Stigma

Supporting Families of Distressed Patients and Circumventing Rectal Route Stigma

Nausea Resolved in 20 Minutes Without the Oral Route

Nausea Resolved in 20 Minutes Without the Oral Route

The More Dignified Way: Pain Controlled in 20 Minutes

The More Dignified Way: Pain Controlled in 20 Minutes

The Easy Route: Distress Controlled in 10 Minutes

The Easy Route: Distress Controlled in 10 Minutes

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