There may be a greater risk of pneumonia following a malpositioned feeding tube.*
In one study of patients who experienced a malpositioned feeding tube, 40% developed pneumonia at the former site of the malpositioned tube.*
| * Giantsou, E.; Gunning, K. J. Blindly inserted nasogastric feeding tubes and thoracic complications in intensive care. Health, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. 2010. 2(10): 1135-1141. |
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Feeding tubes can kink or knot – even after placement.*
Kinked or knotted feeding tubes must be either repositioned or replaced.*
* Beyer, P.L. Complications of enteral nutrition. In: Matarese, L.E., Gotttschlich, M.M. (eds). Contemporary Nutrition Support Practice: A Clinical Guide. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 1998: 216-226.
Clogging is especially common when thick formulas and medications are delivered through feeding tubes with smaller French sizes.[1]
If multiple medications must be delivered, it is recommended that each medication be delivered separately.[2]
1. Blumenstein I, Shastri YM, Stein J. Gastroenteric tube feeding: techniques, problems and solutions. World J Gastroenterol. 2014. 20(26):8505-24.
2. Kenny, D., & Goodman, P. Care of the patient with enteral tube feeding: An evidence-based practice protocol. Nursing Research. January/February 2010. 59(1S), S22-S31.
Enteral nutrition (EN) has almost completely replaced parenteral nutrition (PN) in burn patients.*
EN is safe, cost effective, and has many clinical advantages over PN for delivering vital nutrition to severely burned patients.*
* Clark, A., Imran, J., Madni, T., Wolf, S. Nutrition and metabolism in burn patients. Burns & Trauma. 2017. 5:11
One community hospital replaced an average of 22 long-term feeding tubes per month.*
Most of the feeding tubes required replacement because they were clogged or dislodged.*
* Shipley, K., Gallo, A., Fields, W. Is Your Feeding Tube Clogged? Maintenance of Gastrostomy and Gastrojejunostomy Tubes. Medsurge Nursing. 2016; 25(4): 224-228.
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