Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
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Traditionally, enteral nutrition (EN) goal rates have been calculated based on an intended continuous 24-hour infusion rate. Many factors in the care of critically ill patients result in interruption of EN infusions, often for several hours daily, which may lead to significant underfeeding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference of daily EN volume deficits between a traditionally calculated infusion rate and a compensatory, higher calculated infusion rate in which the 24-hour volume was delivered over a 20-hour infusion period. ⋯ Calculating and prescribing higher EN infusion rates, assuming 20 hours of actual infusion daily, promoted delivery of optimal nutrient provisions and avoidance of unintended malnutrition by significantly reducing caloric deficit from frequent EN holding.