Standardized Enteral Orders Attain Caloric Goals Sooner: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Standardized enteral nutrition order forms were introduced listing the enteral formulary, the advancement schedule of formulae, and whether feedings should be given continuously or intermittently. The efficiency of these forms was evaluated prospectively by counting the number of days needed to reach the patient's estimated caloric needs in a total of 113 patients studied 3 months before (pre-group) and 3 months after (post-group) the introduction of the form. When the standardized enteral order forms were used, patients in the post-group reached their caloric goals 3.1 days sooner than did those in the pre-group. Use of standardized enteral nutrition order forms decreases the time needed to reach a patient's estimated caloric needs, thereby achieving effective nutritional therapy sooner.