Enteral Tube Feeding: Indications, Practices and Outcomes

Abstract

A descriptive study was conducted at a large medical center to explore the state of the art in enteral nutrition. Demographic data as well as data on reason for feeding, evidence of a nutritional assessment, daily practices and problems related to feeding were collected on 53 acutely ill adults. The subjects ranged in age from 17 to 90 years (x = 67.8) and were on medical (47.2%) or surgical (52.8%) services, the majority (62.3%) having been in an intensive care unit when feeding was initiated. More than hay the sample (56.6%) were malnourished at the outset of feeding; yet the mean daily calories fed were only 1,035.55 K cal/day. Common problems among the subjects were diarrhea (60.3%) and aspiration (26.4%). Outcome albumin tests in 24 subjects averaged only 2.29 gms. A new look at an old practice indicates that there are gaps between what is known and what is practiced.