Bacterial contamination of enteral nutrient solution: a preliminary report

The technique of continuous pump/tube enteric feeding is being utilized with ever increasing frequency and success. Commercially available formulas are being repackaged in 1-liter plastic containers for ease in clinical use. The nutrient solution often hangs at the patient's bedside at room temperature for periods of 8 to 12 hrs and the possibility of significant and serious bacterial growth must be recognized as a potential problem. Though this has never appeared to be a clinical problem in over 15,000 pump/tube feeding days, the bacteriology has not been previously studied. This preliminary study suggests that the major source of nutrient solution contamination relates to the technique of transfer from the commercial can to the clinical liter plastic container and that "hang" times of 8 to 12 hrs at room temperature are quite reasonable if appropriate care is exercised in the transfer process.