The Hidden Burden of Community Enteral Feeding on the Emergency Department

Diane Barrett1, Vincent Li1, Sue Merrick1

  • 1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, The Royal Wolverhampton National Health Service Trust, Wolverhampton, UK.

Insights

Late enteral feeding tube complications, like dislodged or blocked tubes, create a significant healthcare burden. Improving caregiver education may reduce emergency department visits and associated costs.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Science
  • Gastroenterology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Enteral feeding tubes are crucial for nutrition but can lead to serious complications.
  • Limited data exist on late-onset complications and their impact on healthcare services.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the frequency and nature of late enteral tube complications presenting to an emergency department.
  • To assess the healthcare burden associated with these complications.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study of emergency department attendances.
  • Data collected over 24 months in a UK hospital.

Main Results:

  • 139 attendances for enteral tube complications were recorded.
  • Dislodged and blocked tubes were the most common issues, leading to admissions in 35% of cases.
  • Average healthcare cost per attendance was $1071.

Conclusions:

  • Enteral tube complications impose a substantial, often hidden, burden on patients and healthcare systems.
  • Enhanced patient and caregiver education may mitigate emergency department strain and costs.
Abstract

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