Blenderized tube feedings: Practice recommendations from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

Prior to the 1970s, blending food and liquids and putting them through an enteral access device (EAD) was the most common form of enteral nutrition (EN). However, in the 1970s, blenderized tube feedings (BTFs) became less popular due to the emergence of modern commercial enteral formulas (CEFs). Recently, a cultural shift toward consuming a natural diet, consisting of whole foods, has led to a resurgence in the use of BTF.

Home enteral nutrition: A descriptive study.

Background: With data demonstrating benefit, the prevalence of home enteral nutrition (HEN) has increased significantly over the last few decades. Despite this increase, there remains a paucity of data regarding real-world use of HEN including clinical outcomes and complications.

Methods: Descriptive analysis of prospectively maintained database of our specialized HEN program was undertaken.

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.

Blenderized food tube feeding in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: Patients with headand neck cancer (HNC) are at high risk for malnutrition before and during chemoradiation treatment. Many will also require tube feeding to address declines in energy intake, weight, and quality of life (QOL) caused by the impact of treatment on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Blenderized tube feeding (BTF) may ameliorate these adverse conditions.

Transition to peptide-based diet improved enteral nutrition tolerance and decreased healthcare utilization in pediatric home enteral nutrition.

Background: Home enteral nutrition (HEN) use continues to increase in children unable to meet nutritional needs through oral intake. Some patients do not tolerate standard polymeric formula (SPF), which may lead to malnutrition. Use of peptide-based diet (PBD) has demonstrated benefits in adults, however there remains a paucity of data in pediatric population.

Accepted Safe Food-Handling Procedures Minimizes Microbial Contamination of Home-Prepared Blenderized Tube-Feeding.

Background: The number of patients requiring home enteral nutrition (HEN) continues to increase. Many of these patients are interested in using blended food instead of, or in addition to, commercial enteral formula (CEF). Increased risk of food-borne illness is a concern of blenderized tube-feeding (BTF).

Addressing Frequent Issues of Home Enteral Nutrition Patients.

The home enteral nutrition (HEN) population is a medically diverse group whose number has increased substantially in recent decades. Although medically stable compared with acute care patients requiring nutrition support, HEN population needs are unique and require a team approach to manage nutrition. Frequently encountered issues by the HEN team include mechanical issues of the tube site, gastrointestinal and metabolic problems, and patient preferences regarding tube weaning, formula selection, and compliance.

Cross-sectional Evaluation of Home Enteral Nutrition Practice in the United States in the Context of the New Enteral Connectors.

Purpose: The increased prevalence of home enteral nutrition (HEN), reemergence of blenderized tube feeding (BTF), and conversion of enteral connectors to the ISO 80369-3 standard are creating a significant need to better understand the practices of the HEN population. A cross-sectional survey of current HEN consumers was conducted to evaluate the demographics of HEN consumers, including formulas and feeding tubes being used.

Methods: In order to disseminate the survey to a wide range of HEN consumers, we partnered with private infusion companies (Coram and Pediatric Home Services) along with the Oley and Tube Feeding Awareness Foundations.

Blenderized Tube Feedings for Adult Patients on Home Enteral Nutrition: A Pilot Study.

Objective: Despite surveys indicating a high prevalence of blenderized tube feeding (BTF) as an alternative to commercial enteral nutrition (EN), there remains a paucity of data regarding use in clinical practice. The objective of the present open-label pilot study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of BTF in adult patients being given home enteral nutrition (HEN).

Design: This is an open-label pilot study, in which all participants who had been on traditional EN formulas were changed to BTF for 6 weeks.

Comparison of Microbial Growth Between Commercial Formula and Blenderized Food for Tube Feeding.

Background: Many healthcare facilities and providers prohibit blenderized tube feeding (BTF) for patients who request it due to concerns of high microbial load. The current project compared microbial loads of a standard ready-to-feed polymeric commercial formula (CF), a BTF made using baby food (BTF-BF), and a BTF prepared from blending whole food (BTF-WF), following food safety standards expected of U.S.

Prevalence of Metabolic Bone Disease in Tube-Fed Children Receiving Elemental Formula.

Background: Previous studies suggest normal mineral status in children receiving elemental formula. However, a recent multicenter survey described 51 children who developed hypophosphatemia and bone disease while receiving elemental formula. Our aim is to determine the prevalence of metabolic bone disease in children receiving extensively hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formula.

Effect of Home Enteral Nutrition on Diabetes and Its Management.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is estimated to affect 9% of Americans and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs.

Methods: A retrospective review of a home enteral nutrition (HEN) database of patients seen between March 1, 2004, and April 31, 2014, at our institution was conducted to identify HEN patients who had a diagnosis of DM or were diagnosed within the acute period (4 months) of starting HEN therapy.

Results: 174 (3.

Comparison of Syringe Compression Force Between ENFit and Legacy Feeding Tubes.

Background: Since initial report in 1972, misconnections continue to be an issue, especially in hospitalized patients with multiple access devices. A new small-bore connector standard (ENFit) has been proposed in order to minimize misconnections.

Methods: Commercially available finalized ENFit tubes of a variety of sizes (14 French [Fr] size, 18Fr, 20Fr, 24Fr, and low-profile) were obtained for current testing.

Reemergence of Blended Tube Feeding and Parent's Reported Experiences in Their Tube Fed Children.

Objective: Healthcare providers (HCPs) report increased interest in blenderized tube feeding (BTF) as an alternative to commercial formula (CF) feeding-particularly in families of tube fed children. The objective of this study was to explore parents' reported experiences of CF and BTF in their children.

Design: Prospective descriptive study utilizing a convenience sample.

Comparison of Gravity Flow Rates Between ENFit and Legacy Feeding Tubes.

Background: Misconnections between enteral supplies and other access devices have led to significant morbidity and mortality. To reduce misconnections, a standard small-bore connector has been developed (International Organization for Standards 80369-8; ENFit). The full impact of transition to this connector is not known, however.

Gravity Flow in Proposed Enteral Tube Small-Bore Connectors.

Background: Enteral nutrition (EN) misconnections have been identified as a serious and potential deadly problem. An international effort led by EN industry leaders has developed a small-bore enteral connector (ENFit) that in theory will reduce the frequency of misconnections. Despite the potential benefit of preventing misconnections, the full impact of adoption of the ENFit connector is unknown.

Use of Blenderized Tube Feeding in Adult and Pediatric Home Enteral Nutrition Patients.

Background: Long-term use of enteral nutrition (EN) continues to increase due to significant noted benefits. Patients also continue to express significant desire to pursue holistic and organic diets. Despite this, many nutrition providers are not well versed in assisting patients with blenderized tube feeding (BTF), and prevalence of its use is unknown.

Blenderized Tube Feeding Use in Adult Home Enteral Nutrition Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Use of long-term enteral nutrition (EN) has increased dramatically in the United States. It has been the authors' experience that most home EN (HEN) patients use blenderized tube feeding (BTF) in addition to commercial EN. There are limited resources available for patients interested in BTF, and studies evaluating safety and effectiveness are limited.