When is enteral nutrition indicated?

Enteral nutrition (EN) is a vital component of nutrition around the world. EN allows for delivery of nutrients to those who cannot maintain adequate nutrition by oral intake alone. Common questions regarding EN are when to initiate and in what scenarios it is safe.

Development of a Competency Model for Placement and Verification of Nasogastric and Nasoenteric Feeding Tubes for Adult Hospitalized Patients.

Nasogastric/nasoenteric (NG/NE) feeding tube placements are associated with adverse events and, without proper training, can lead to devastating and significant patient harm related to misplacement. Safe feeding tube placement practices and verification are critical. There are many procedures and techniques for placement and verification; this paper provides an overview and update of techniques to guide practitioners in making clinical decisions.

Dietitians' Evaluation of Clearing Luminal Occlusions of Gunk (DECLOG): A Pilot Feasibility Study.

Background: Tube clogging is the most frequent mechanical complication associated with enteral nutrition. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a protocol incorporating prophylactic use of a declogging system with enhanced patient education and monitoring to proactively reduce the incidence of tube occlusions in the home care setting.

Methods: A convenient sample of patients discharged from hospital to home enteral nutrition (HEN) was screened for eligibility and randomized to control group (standard care) or study group (standard care with prophylactic protocol and monitoring).

ASPEN Safe Practices for Enteral Nutrition Therapy [Formula: see text].

Enteral nutrition (EN) is a valuable clinical intervention for patients of all ages in a variety of care settings. Along with its many outcome benefits come the potential for adverse effects. These safety issues are the result of clinical complications and of process-related errors.

Enteral Formulas in Nutrition Support Practice: Is There a Better Choice for Your Patient?

Over the past few decades, the number of enteral formulas for use in hospitalized, critically ill, and home enteral patients has dramatically increased. Several enteral nutrition (EN) formula categories exist, which makes it challenging for clinicians to sort through the product claims and find the appropriate formula for the patient. Many formulas are available within each category, some of which may be significantly different from one another.

Nutrition in the stroke patient.

Malnutrition is common both before and after stroke, with dysphagia adding to nutrition risk. Many patients require specialized nutrition support in the acute phase and beyond when swallowing function does not improve or return to allow for nutrition autonomy. When neurologic deficits improve, assessment of the swallowing function, introduction of dysphagia diets, and specialized swallowing techniques are used to transition away from enteral feeding tubes to oral diets.