Managing patients on enteral feeding tubes in the community

Despite the psychological effects of enteral tube placement, the use of an enteral feeding tube is of vital importance in patients having swallowing problems and those with deficits in nutritional status. The differences in enteral feeding tubes, their complications and the varied management approaches by health professionals including review criteria have significant impact on the outcomes of patients receiving home enteral nutrition (HEN). In addition, the HEN team is a multidisciplinary team that work closely with district nurses (DNs) and community nurses who review these patients independently. Thus, there is a need to have a harmonized framework in form of algorithm that health professionals can apply in practice and will be beneficial to patients. AIM: This study was aimed at reviewing the activities of the HEN team and developing an algorithm for the management of patients who are receiving HEN through tube feeding. METHOD: The activities of the HEN team in terms of the clinical management approach were reviewed in relation to the HEN team policy for managing patients on enteral tube feeding, national guidelines and research evidence. Based on the review, an algorithm for the management of enteral tube feeding was developed. CONCLUSION: Although the current HEN team clinical management approach is in line with national guidelines, the development of the algorithm for the management of patients receiving home enteral tube feeding was aimed at streamlining the various management approaches and standardizing practice.