Patients received approximately 50% (mean, 1106.3;
SD, 885.9 Cal) of the prescribed caloric needs. Enteral nutrition
was interrupted 27.3% of the available time. A mean of 1.13
interruptions occurred per patient per day; enteral nutrition
was interrupted a mean of 6 (SD, 0.9) hours per patient each
day. Prolonged interruptions were mainly associated with
problems related to small-bore feeding tubes (25.5%), increased
residual volumes (13.3%), weaning (11.7%), and other reasons
(22.8%). Placement and confirmation of placement of the
small-bore feeding tube were significant causes of incomplete
delivery of nutrients on the day of admission.