title: The solution was the problem.
abstract: There are increasing numbers of adults living in the community who require enteral tube feeding. While there is significant evidence of the importance of this treatment, there are side effects which can cause difficulties for patients, their carer tabers and health professionals. Gastrointestinal complications are the most common side effects with feed formula being cited as the main culprit, often without investigating other potential causes. Many patients requiring aggressive nutrition support also require concurrent drug therapy to manage underlying disease. Drugs are often given via tubes in liquid form. These elixirs often contain large quantities of sorbitol, which will increase the osmolar concentration. There is a lack of awareness from primary health-care professionals about the difficulties that can arise when giving medications to patients receiving enteral feeding which may affect patient care and the nutritional outcomes.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Antrim, UK.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Madigan
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Courtney
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Macauley
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D005791:Patient Care; D010592:Pharmaceutic Aids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D010592:Pharmaceutic Aids; D013012:Sorbitol