Improving enteral nutrition delivery in the critically ill trauma and surgical population.

Background: Critically ill trauma and surgical patients often fail to achieve adequate enteral nutrition (EN) support. We hypothesize that implementation of an evidence-based, multidisciplinary nutrition enhancement protocol (EP) will improve delivery of EN in critically ill trauma and surgical patients and align our institution with nationally recommended guidelines.

Methods: The study compared patients prior to protocol (PP) with patients after implementation of the EP.

Volume-Based Protocol Improves Delivery of Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Trauma Patients.

Background: Critically ill patients on enteral nutrition (EN) often do not receive goal nutrition support. Factors impeding delivery of EN include interruption for procedures, tube dislodgement, and high gastric residuals. A volume-based feeding protocol (VP) is designed to adjust the infusion rate to compensate for interruptions.