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Patient Creates a dummy for everyone to practise inserting a PEG-tube, decreasing anxiety and improving patient care.

Shared by Carolina Piedade on 2021-05-05 20:34

About the solution

When training a caregiver on the process of exchanging the G-tube in patients, Laura saw that only a more theoretical approach was carried out, leaving the practical day to day course of managing a PEG or G-tube behind. She believed that this wasn't neither efficient nor pratical, and assembled a team of innovators composed of Isabell Dechamps, Adrian Jobst, Lydia Hentschel and Anas Ktech and got to work on a solution.
Since a PEG tube or G-tube, needs to be changed every 6-8 months, and as it can be done in the comfort of the patient's house, it is necessary to have an up to date and efficient training, which portrays a realistic situation, so that the best possible care is given, in order to prevent infections and incorrect tube placement. That's the reason why the Helper's helper came about!
It's a simple dummy for everyone to try and attach the G-tube button, inflate the balloon that sits normally in the stomach and squirt some water trough the tube to see if is inserted correctly. This device is made of either silicone or foam, it is kept in a container to prevent leaks, and has a small hole where you can insert a typical G-tube button.
This allows every caregiver or even patient to try as much times as they need to insert and remove the G-Tube in the hole that the dummy provides, allowing to decrease the anxiety associated with this procedure (since you are messing with a direct access to an organ) and improve patient care.
As of 2019, the prototype using silicone for the dummy can be printed on a 3D printer wherever you are.

Read about it:
https://projektlebenaktiv.com/helpers-helper-dummies/
https://www.welder.app/careables.org/helpers.helper/master/tree

If interested you can email the team at HelpersHelper.Dummy@gmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkh1mV0cCkc&t=19s

This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com

About the author

Laura Wench saw trough her own disability that there was a big flaw in training caregiver's and even patients to insert and remove the PEG or G-tube, as it was all so theoretical that real training was done only when time for a real changing of the G-tube was needed. This meant that the procedure came with a lot of anxiety and nerves for all involved! Since she didn't want to become a test dummy, Laura, with the help of Isabell Dechamps, Adrian Jobst, Lydia Hentschel and Anas Ktech came up with the Helper's Helper!

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