[Replacing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy with the collaboration of the endoscopy and the primary care home care support teams. An efficient and safe experience]. / Estudio de los cambios de gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea realizados mediante la colaboración del equipo de digestivo y el equipo de soporte de atención domiciliaria de atención primaria: una experiencia eficiente y segura.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study is to assess the outcome of a Primary Care programme of replacing the Percutaneous Endoscopy Gastrostomy at home. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted on all patients (n=44), of Zaragoza Health Sector III, carriers of a percutaneous endoscopy gastrostomy (PEG), who had a replacement at home by the Home Care Service (HCS), during the period from September 2008 to December 2010. Socio-demographic data, the number of PEG replacements performed on each patient, any incidents occurring with each replacement either by the Endoscopy Department or the HCS, as well as the time elapsed until the next replacement, were all recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 74.02 years, and up to a 65% lived in rural areas. The main causes of dysphagia were dementia (56.82%). A total of 136 PEG replacements were performed by the HCS (mean 3.09, SD: 2.37). There were 18 cases in which complications arose. Of these, 17 were minor complications and resolved in the patients' homes. The only major complication, a peritonitis, was resolved in the hospital. The HCS made 138 trips (53.62% of them in rural areas). Each patient avoided travelling a total mean of 43.13 km, and 75.24 km in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: The replacement of PEG is a simple method that can be performed at home with a low risk of complications, provided there is an effective selection of patients. This leads to increased patient and family comfort, and reduces health care costs without detriment of performance.