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Decreasing aspiration risk with enteral feeding
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. scolapio.james@mayo.edu
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America
|October 31, 2007
Summary
Aspiration pneumonia is a risk for patients on tube feeding, especially those on mechanical ventilation. Minimizing risk involves adjusting patient position, feeding methods, and tube size.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Aspiration is a significant clinical issue for patients receiving enteral tube feeding.
- Aspiration can lead to pneumonia, increasing antibiotic use, hospital stays, and mortality.
- Gastric content aspiration pneumonia is a particular concern for mechanically ventilated patients on nasogastric tube feeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize factors influencing the development of aspiration pneumonia.
- To outline strategies for minimizing the risk of aspiration pneumonia in tube-fed patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current evidence.
- Analysis of factors related to patient positioning, feeding methods, and tube characteristics.
Main Results:
- Patient body position, feeding method, and feeding tube size are key factors influencing aspiration risk.
- Specific interventions can mitigate the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
Conclusions:
- Understanding and managing risk factors are crucial for preventing aspiration pneumonia.
- Optimizing patient positioning, feeding techniques, and tube selection can reduce complications in enteral feeding.
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