Nutrition

Enteral nutrition involves supplemental feeding through a tube, catheter or stoma. Sometimes a person cannot get enough food to eat because of an illness, decreased appetite, swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), or surgery that interferes with eating. Tube feeding is when a special liquid food mixture containing protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, is given through a tube into the stomach or small bowel.

People who receive tube feeding include anyone who cannot get enough to eat because of an illness, decreased appetite, swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), or surgery that interferes with eating. Dysphagia can occur in patients with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), stroke patients, advanced multiple sclerosis, cancer of the throat or mouth, Parkinson’s disease, advanced dementia, and unmanaged GERD.

While enteral nutrition is nutrients supplied directly into the stomach or intestines, parenteral nutrition or intravenous nutrition is administered through the veins. Parenteral nutrition bypasses traditional digestion in the stomach and intestines. It is a liquid food mixture administered directly into the blood through an intravenous (IV) catheter. Typically, parenteral nutrition is used when the stomach or intestines are not working properly or have been resectioned.

Tube feeding does not have to limit activities of daily living. If you are currently using a pump, ask your dietitian to transition you to bolus feedings. Instead of using the pump, bolus feedings are typically scheduled every 4-6 hours with a larger quantity of tube feeding formula administered with a syringe into the feeding tube. If bolus feedings are not an option for you, keep in mind that all of Med Supply’s pumps have a rechargeable battery life of 8 hours which allow time for you to move around throughout the day.

In regards to tube feeding, the closed system indicates a prefilled container containing sterilized tube feeding product that is spiked with tubing and attached to the enteral access device. The container usually contains at least one liter of product and formula hang time extends from 24 to 36 hours, as long as sterile technique is used. Open system refers to an open top container for tube feeding delivery. This method of delivery is more prone to bacterial contamination and most often used in an acute care setting.

All tube feeding products are shelf stable and should be stored at room temperature. Products should not be exposed to excessive heat or cold.

All tube feeding products carry a “use by” or “best by” date on packaging.