Technical Issues With Feeding Accesses
Technical issues with feeding accesses also contribute to interruptions in enteral nutrition, accounting for 25.5% of the total time for interruption of enteral nutrition. Enteral feeding accesses may become clogged or dislodged, preventing the delivery of enteral nutrition. Patients may wait long periods of time for a feeding tube to be placed33 and subsequently for a provider to confirm accurate placement. O’Meara et al reported that a need for frequent repositioning of the small-bore feeding tube was common, with 29% of patients requiring 1 additional insertion after initial confirmation of tube placement, 14% requiring reinsertions, and 17% requiring more than reinsertions.