LEARNING OUTCOME: To determine the effect of method of tube-feeding delivery on complications and quality of life in long-term care residents.
Long-term care residents receiving enteral tube-feedings experience complications that affect the quality of life and overall prognosis. The purpose of this research was to compare outcomes for tube-fed residents in long-term care facilities receiving continuous or intermittent feedings. Data was collected over 6 months on 163 tube-fed, long-term care residents in Texas, Illinois, and New York receiving either continuous feedings via pump (N=70) or intermittent feedings via gravity or bolus (N=93). The number of emergency (ER) visits/hospital admissions, times/day the resident was transferred out of bed, and the incidence of decubitus ulcers was recorded to determine research objectives. Results include that subjects on intermittent feeding regimens were taken out of bed significantly more often (![]()
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=1.1 times/day) (P≤ 0.05). Thirty percent (N=21) of continuous-feed subjects were never taken out of bed, compared to only five percent (N=5) of the intermittent-feed subjects. Intermittent-feed subjects experienced significantly less ER visits/hospital admissions (N=20 visits) than continuous-feed subjects (N= 100 visits) (P≤ 0.05). Decubitus ulcers were observed during the 6-month period on significantly fewer intermittent-feed subjects (N=17, 18 % ) than continuous-feed subjects (N=35, 50 % ) (P≤. 0.05). In conclusion, better outcomes were observed in long-term care residents receiving intermittent feeding regimes. These intermittently-fed residents are not hindered by an attached pump appliance, and mobility, therefore, is not restricted. Results of this research suggest that dietitians in long-term care facilities should consider recommending intermittent tube-feeding regimens to improve overall quality of life and health outcome of the resident.
