Complications of enteral nutrition in hospitalized patients with artificial airways.
This study investigated complications of enteral feeding in hospitalized patients with artificial airways. A prospective chart review, using a descriptive design, was used in this study of 51 inpatients in a large southeastern teaching hospital. A low (5.9%) incidence of pulmonary aspiration was found. Diarrhea was also found to be an infrequent complication (2%). The most common complication in this sample was interruption in continuous tube feedings: 24 patients (47%) experienced such interruptions, resulting in potential underfeeding. Further investigation of the adequacy of nutrition of hospitalized tube-fed patients with artificial airways is necessary to determine clinical significance.
Medley
F
F
Stechmiller
J
J
Field
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology