Compared with centers without an EN feeding protocol, centers with a formal EN protocol typically have which outcome?

Compared with centers without an EN feeding protocol, centers with a formal EN protocol typically have which outcome?

• A. Increases reliance on physician orders
• B. Increases EN delivery and percentage of goal calories
• C. Increases use of PN
• D. Increases time to reach target rate

Answer: (B)

Standardizing enteral nutrition care with a formal feeding protocol improves consistency in initiation, advancement, and monitoring, which tends to increase the actual delivery of EN and how close that delivery is to the prescribed goal calories. By providing predefined criteria for starting feeds, advancing the rate, handling interruptions, and assessing tolerance, staff can implement nutrition orders promptly and with fewer delays, leading to a higher percentage of goal calories being delivered. This approach also tends to reduce the need to wait for additional physician orders for every adjustment, and it often lowers reliance on parenteral nutrition when EN adequacy is achievable. Time to reach the target rate is typically shortened, not increased.

Standardizing enteral nutrition care with a formal feeding protocol improves consistency in initiation, advancement, and monitoring, which tends to increase the actual delivery of EN and how close that delivery is to the prescribed goal calories. By providing predefined criteria for starting feeds, advancing the rate, handling interruptions, and assessing tolerance, staff can implement nutrition orders promptly and with fewer delays, leading to a higher percentage of goal calories being delivered. This approach also tends to reduce the need to wait for additional physician orders for every adjustment, and it often lowers reliance on parenteral nutrition when EN adequacy is achievable. Time to reach the target rate is typically shortened, not increased.