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Evidence‐based approaches

Rationale

While the majority of patients will be able to meet their nutritional requirements orally, there is a group of individuals who will require enteral tube feeding either in the short term or on a longer‐term basis (Hickson and Smith [67], Weimann et al. [186]).
The primary aim of enteral tube feeding is to:
  • meet nutritional requirements
  • avoid further loss of bodyweight or improve nutritional status
  • correct significant nutritional deficiencies
  • maintain hydration
  • stop the related deterioration of quality of life of the patient due to inadequate oral nutritional intake.

Indications

Indications for enteral tube feeding are as follows:
  • patient is unable to meet nutritional needs through oral intake alone
  • the gastrointestinal tract is accessible and functioning
  • it is anticipated that intestinal absorptive function will meet all nutritional needs (NCCAC [108]).
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