Enteral nutrition in the critically ill - a nursing update

Abstract

As an independent critical care nurse educator, the author works with students in critical care units across the Cape Peninsula including those in both the government and the major private hospital groups. One noticeable problem identified in all these units is the apparent lack of nursing knowledge and practice guidelines with regard to the initiation of enteral feeding. This leads to inconsistency with regard to feeding, which in turn results in compromised nutritional goals.