Complications of Enteral Nutrition in Hospitalized Patients with Artificial Airways

Abstract

This study investigated complications of enteral feeding in hospitalized patients with artificial airways. A prospective chart review, using a descriptive design. was used in this study of 51 inpatients in a large southeastern teaching hospital. A low (5.9%) incidence of pulmonary aspiration was found Diarrhea was also found to be an infrequent complication (2%). The most common complication in this sample was interruption in continuous tube feedings: 24 patients (47%) experienced such interruptions, resulting in potential underfeeding. Further investigation of the adequacy of nutrition of hospitalized tube-fed patients with artificial airways is necessary to determine clinical significance.

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