Are Intensive Care Unit Patients Undergoing Enteral Nutrition Therapy Sufficiently Fed? A Prospective, Descriptive Study

Abstract

Underfeeding is prevalent in intensive care unit (ICU) patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN). This study aimed to investigate whether ICU patients were fed adequately on the third day of EN. One hundred ten patients who were hospitalized in the 3 mixed ICUs were evaluated for nutrition adequacy. Patient nutritional status was monitored by a nutrition support team. Nutrition provision was found to be adequate in 95.5% (n = 105) and inadequate in 4.5% (n = 5) of patients. A multidisciplinary approach should be employed to ensure that patients receive maximum benefit from EN.