Volume 35, Issue 2 p. 196-204
Clinical Dilemma

Dispelling Myths and Unfounded Practices About Enteral Nutrition

Stephanie Zoeller RD, CNSC, LD/N

Stephanie Zoeller RD, CNSC, LD/N

Orlando VAMC, Orlando, Florida, USA

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Matthew L. Bechtold MD, FACP, FASGE, FACG, AGAF

Matthew L. Bechtold MD, FACP, FASGE, FACG, AGAF

Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology Department of Medicine University Hospital & Clinics, Columbia, Missouri, USA

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Berri Burns RD, LD, CNSC

Berri Burns RD, LD, CNSC

Infusion Pharmacy at Home, Center for Connected Care, Cleveland Clinic, BOC, Independence, Ohio, USA

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Theresa Cattell RD, CNSC

Theresa Cattell RD, CNSC

Nutrition Support Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA

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Brandee Grenda MBA, RD, LDN, CNSC, CLC, CPT

Brandee Grenda MBA, RD, LDN, CNSC, CLC, CPT

Community First Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Lindsey Haffke MS, RD, LMNT, LD, CNSC

Lindsey Haffke MS, RD, LMNT, LD, CNSC

CHI Health at Home – Home Infusion Pharmacy, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

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Cara Larimer RDN

Cara Larimer RDN

Enteral Nutrition Moog Medical Devices Group, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

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Jan Powers PhD, RN, CCNS, CCRN, NE-BC, FCCM

Jan Powers PhD, RN, CCNS, CCRN, NE-BC, FCCM

Nursing Research and Professional Practice, Parkview Health System, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

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Fred Reuning

Fred Reuning

U Deliver Medical, Hopkins, Minnesota, USA

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Lauren Tweel MSc, RD, CNSC

Lauren Tweel MSc, RD, CNSC

Chinook Regional Hospital, Alberta Health Services, South Zone, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

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Peggi Guenter PhD, RN, FAAN, FASPEN

Corresponding Author

Peggi Guenter PhD, RN, FAAN, FASPEN

American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA

Corresponding Author:

Peggi Guenter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FASPEN, Senior Director, Clinical Practice, Quality and Advocacy American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Silver Spring, MD, USA.

Email: [email protected]

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the ASPEN Enteral Nutrition Task Force

the ASPEN Enteral Nutrition Task Force

Orlando VAMC, Orlando, Florida, USA

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First published: 29 January 2020
Citations: 2

Financial disclosure: C. Larimer is employed by Moog Medical Devices; J. Powers is on the Speakers Bureau at Abbott Nutrition and is an owner at EMPowers Consulting; F. Reuning is a co-founder of U Deliver Medical.

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Podcast available: Listen to a discussion of this manuscript with NCP Associate Editor Mary S. McCarthy, PhD, RN, CNSC, FAAN, and authors Stephanie Zoeller, RD, LD/N, CNSC, and Peggi Gurtner, PhD, RN, FAAN, FASPEN. This and other NCP podcasts are available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/journal/19412452/homepage/podcasts

Abstract

Many protocols and steps in the process of enteral nutrition (EN) use are not overly supported with strong research and have been done the same way over many years without questioning the use of best-practices evidence. This article reports many of the myths and unfounded practices surrounding EN and attempts to refute those myths with current evidence. These practices include those about enteral access devices, formulas, enteral administration, and complications.