Discontinuing feeding tubes in a community nursing home

This study retrospectively reviews the experience of a 126-bed community nursing home at weaning tube-fed residents. All patients admitted to facility over a 6-year period who were tube fed were included in the review (N = 15). All tube-fed residents had a sustained trial of oral feeding. Tube feedings were discontinued if oral intake was sufficient. Fifteen tube-fed patients were admitted over the period studied. Seven residents were retrained to eat and were weaned from tube feeds. We conclude that some residents admitted to our nursing home with feeding tubes can be weaned from them. Prospective studies using a larger sample are needed to better delineate the nature of the weaning process and to define the clinical characteristics that predict the ability to wean.