Minder sondevoeding toegediend dan voorgeschreven*

Objective

To evaluate whether prescribed enteral feeding volumes correspond with actual administered quantities.

Design

Observational.

Method

In the period February-May 2003 data were collected from patients fully dependent on enteral feeding (1.5-2.5 l/day).The patients were being treated on 6 different clinical wards of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands. The borderline for adequate administered volume of enteral feeding was set at plus or minus 10% of the prescribed quantity.

Results

55 patients (mean age: 57 years) were included. Enteral feeding was given via a pump (n = 37), intermittently (n = 14) or by a combination of these methods (n = 1), or continuously via an enteral feeding gravity set (n = 3). Amounts of administered enteral feeding were significantly lower than prescribed in 40% of all patients. The ratio of administered versus prescribed energy was 87% for all forms of enteric feeding, 85% for pump administration, 94% for intermittent administration and 88% for the enteral feeding gravity set. The mean energy deficit amounted to 1084 kJ/day. Feeding administration met the set goal only on intensive care wards. Feeding interruptions due to diagnostic or therapeutic procedures were the main reason for an insufficient intake.

Conclusion

The administration of enteral feeding for the prevention or treatment of malnutrition may fail because of a difference between prescribed and actual administered volumes of feeding. This problem can be addressed by adapting feeding schedules and by the use of formulations with a higher energy density.