Nursing Care

LIST OF NURSING PROCEDURES SUPPORTED BY NINKATEC NURSING TEAM

• Wound Care
• Changing/Insertion of Nasogastric Tube
• Changing/Insertion of Urinary Catheter (Male/Female)
• Stoma Care, Colostomy Care
• Intravenous (IV Therapy), Intramuscular/ Subcutaneous Injections
• Tracheostomy Care and Suctioning
• Stitch Removal
• Care of Central Venous Access Devices
• Caregiver Training

WOUND CARE

Wound is an injury to the skin that “breaks” the barrier to the environment. The skin protects the internal organs of the body from the environment. Normally the skin heals quickly on its own. Wounds that don’t heal easily are called chronic wounds and they require special care and management for healing. 

Chronic wounds can result from: 

• Surgical wounds with poor union or reopen
• Malignant wounds
• Skin that breaks down when there’s too much pressure over the bony area 
• Injury from poor circulation (arterial or venous ulcers)
• Loss of circulation and feeling due to diabetes (diabetic ulcers)

Ninkatec’s team of clinicians can assist via the following ways: 

• Wound assessment and proposal of treatment plan 
• Maggot therapy (for suitable patients)
• Wound debridement and management
• Recommendation of dressing products
• Caregiver training on daily management of patients with wound

NASOGASTRIC TUBE

Nasogastric tube, more commonly known as feeding tube, is a tube that passes through the nose and into the stomach. Nasogastric tube feeding is typically used for individuals who:

• Cannot eat or drink enough regular food or fluids because they are unable to chew or swallow. 
• Require extra nutrients – higher amounts of protein and calories. 

The type of tube, how frequent it needs to be changed, type and amount of liquid formula,  feeding intervals will be decided by the doctor and dietitian, depending on an individual’s needs. 

Ninkatec’s team of clinicians can assist via the following ways: 

• Routine change of feeding tube 
• Troubleshoot blockage of feeding tube
• Assist with reinsertion, tube may be accidentally pulled out by patient 
• Caregiver training on how to conduct tube feeding correctly and safely. Our guide to care for NG tube in home care patients could help you familiarise with tube feeding for your loved ones.
• Initial insertion (For this, we would require a physician’s memo indicating patient is fit and safe for initial insertion at home)

URINARY CATHETER

Indwelling urinary catheter, or IDC in short, more commonly known as urine tube is a thin, hollow, flexible tube designed to drain urine from the bladder. Catheter is kept in place by a small balloon at its tip filled with sterile water, preventing it from falling out. It is inserted into the bladder through urethra – small opening above the vagina in women and runs through the length of penis in men. 

IDCs are typically used in patients before or after surgery, because of an injury, for instilling medication into bladder and occasionally for managing urinary leakage if this cannot be managed in another way. 

Ninkatec’s team of clinicians can assist via the following ways: 

• Routine change of IDC
• Troubleshoot blockage and/or leakage of IDC
• Caregiver training on management of patients with IDC 
• Initial insertion (Unless patient has been seen by our team of clinicians, we would require a physician’s memo indicating patient is fit and safe for initial insertion at home)

If you are caring for a patient with IDC at home, check out our Urinary Catheter Care Guide for caregivers for hygiene practice tips, precautions and when to call for medical help.  

STOMA CARE

An ostomy refers to a surgically created opening in the body, for discharge of body waste. Common types of ostomies are Colostomy (opening from large intestine) and Ileostomy (opening from small intestine). 

Ninkatec’s team of clinicians can assist via the following ways: 

• Stoma dressing, bag change and application of wound products (if applicable) 
• Caregiver training on management of patients with stoma
• Dietary counselling

INTRAVENOUS (IV) THERAPY

Home IV therapy is generally safe and effective way to receive medication, nutrition and fluid at home. Patients receiving IV therapy have fluids and/or medications administered through a needle or tube that goes directly into the vein. Route of administration could be done via inserting a cannula or via central lines (port-a-cath or peripherally inserted central catheter)  which some patients might be discharged with previously. 

Ninkatec’s team of clinicians can assist via the following ways:

• Nursing support - Daily administration, management of patients with central lines 
• Caregiver training – Troubleshooting of pumps, workflow for escalation 
• Equipment rental – Delivery pumps, consumables required for IV administration 
• Unless patient has been seen by our team of clinicians, a physician’s memo for IV administration is required