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Background: To meet protein needs in critical illness (CI), guidelines suggest ≥1.2-2.5 g protein/kg/d; however, most intensive care unit (ICU) patients receive ≤0.7 g/kg/d. Higher protein enteral nutrition (EN) formulas may be part of the solution to provide prescribed protein. Our objective was to demonstrate that an EN formula with 37% protein can deliver ≥80% of prescribed protein, without overfeeding calories within the first 5 days of feeding and to describe ICU clinicians' experience., Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project included patients requiring exclusive EN for up to 5 days from 6 Canadian ICUs. Rationale for choosing formula, patient's BMI (kg/m 2 ), nutrition targets, daily protein and energy delivered, feeding interruptions, and general tolerance were recorded., Results: Forty-four of 49 patients received the formula ≥2 days. Average protein prescribed was 137.5 g/d (82.5-200) or 1.9 g/kg/d (1.5-2.5). Average protein delivered was 116.9 g/d (33.5-180) or 1.6 g/kg/d (0.4-2.4). Seventy-five percent to 83% of patients received ≥80% prescribed protein on days 2-5. Average energy prescribed was 1638.6 kcal/d (990-2500) or 17.8 kcal/kg (11-26). Average energy delivered was 1523.9 kcal/d (693.0-2557.5) or 17.3 kcal/kg/d (1.35-64.7). The formula was well tolerated with no gastrointestinal symptoms reported in 38 (86%) patients. The most common reasons to prescribe the formula were obesity and use of fat-based medications., Conclusions: We demonstrated in a QI study that a high-protein EN formula was tolerated in a small, heterogeneous group of ICU patients and effective in meeting protein targets without overfeeding., (© 2019 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.)

Purpose: Enteral feeding intolerance (EFI) is a frequent problem in the intensive care unit (ICU), but current prokinetic agents have uncertain efficacy and safety profiles. The current study compared the efficacy and safety of ulimorelin, a ghrelin agonist, with metoclopramide in the treatment of EFI., Methods: One hundred twenty ICU patients were randomized 1:1 to ulimorelin or metoclopramide for 5 days. EFI was diagnosed by a gastric residual volume (GRV) ≥ 500 ml. A volume-based feeding protocol was employed, and enteral formulas were standardized. The primary end point was the percentage daily protein prescription (%DPP) received by patients over 5 days of treatment. Secondary end points included feeding success, defined as 80% DPP; gastric emptying, assessed by paracetamol absorption; incidences of recurrent intolerance (GRV ≥ 500 ml); vomiting or regurgitation; aspiration, defined by positive tracheal aspirates for pepsin; and pulmonary infection., Results: One hundred twenty patients were randomized and received the study drug (ulimorelin 62, metoclopramide 58). Mean APACHE II and SOFA scores were 21.6 and 8.6, and 63.3% of patients had medical reasons for ICU admission. Ulimorelin and metoclopramide resulted in comparable %DPPs over 5 days of treatment (median [Q1, Q3]: 82.9% [38.4%, 100.2%] and 82.3% [65.6%, 100.2%], respectively, p = 0.49). Five-day rates of feeding success were 67.7% and 70.6% when terminations unrelated to feeding were excluded, and there were no differences in any secondary outcomes or adverse events between the two groups., Conclusions: Both prokinetic agents achieved similar rates of feeding success, and no safety differences between the two treatment groups were observed.

The treatment armamentarium in pediatric Crohn disease (CD) is very similar to adult-onset CD with the notable exception of the use of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN [the administration of a liquid formula diet while excluding normal diet]), which is used more frequently by pediatric gastroenterologists to induce remission. In pediatric CD, EEN is now recommended by the pediatric committee of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation and the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition as a first-choice agent to induce remission, with remission rates in pediatric studies consistently >75%. To chart and address enablers and barriers of use of EEN in Canada, a workshop was held in September 2014 in Toronto (Ontario), inviting pediatric gastroenterologists, nurses and dietitians from most Canadian pediatric IBD centres as well as international faculty from the United States and Europe with particular research and clinical expertise in the dietary management of pediatric CD. Workshop participants ranked the exclusivity of enteral nutrition; the health care resources; and cost implications as the top three barriers to its use. Conversely, key enablers mentioned included: standardization and sharing of protocols for use of enteral nutrition; ensuring sufficient dietetic resources; and reducing the cost of EEN to the family (including advocacy for reimbursement by provincial ministries of health and private insurance companies). Herein, the authors report on the discussions during this workshop and list strategies to enhance the use of EEN as a treatment option in the treatment of pediatric CD in Canada.

Despite the fact that feeding a very low birth weight (VLBW) neonate is a fundamental and inevitable part of its management, this is a field which is beset with controversies. Optimal nutrition improves growth and neurological outcomes, and reduces the incidence of sepsis and possibly even retinopathy of prematurity. There is a great deal of heterogeneity of practice among neonatologists and pediatricians regarding feeding VLBW infants. A working group on feeding guidelines for VLBW infants was constituted in McMaster University, Canada. The group listed a number of important questions that had to be answered with respect to feeding VLBW infants, systematically reviewed the literature, critically appraised the level of evidence, and generated a comprehensive set of guidelines. These guidelines form the basis of this state-of-art review. The review touches upon trophic feeding, nutritional feeding, fortification, feeding in special circumstances, assessment of feed tolerance, and management of gastric residuals, gastro-esophageal reflux, and glycerin enemas.

Donor human milk has emerged as the preferred substrate to feed extremely preterm infants, when mother's own milk is unavailable. This article summarizes the clinical data demonstrating the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of feeding donor human milk to premature babies. It describes the current state of milk banking in North America, as well as other parts of the world, and the differing criteria for donor selection, current pasteurization techniques, and quality control measures. A risk assessment methodology is proposed, which would allow milk banks globally to assess the safety of their process and respond appropriately to differing risk environments., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: : The purpose of this study was to examine the current management of the enteral feeding regimens of premature infants cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)., Subjects: : The study included responses from 70 neonatal nurses who participated in a 2009 Neonatal Enteral Feeding Survey distributed electronically to the National Association of Neonatal Nurses membership. These respondents were representative of both the United States and Canada, with 29 US states represented. The majority of respondents (95.7%) reported current nursing employment in a level III NICU., Design: : Survey research was used in this exploratory study. The survey, Enteral Tube Feeding Practices in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, was developed in collaboration with expert neonatal nurses and nutritionists, pilot tested, and distributed via electronic means., Methods: : Survey research was conducted according to the Dillman methodology. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and univariate analysis of variance assessing for significant differences in specific neonatal feeding practices reported. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data reported., Outcome Measures: : The outcome measures included the survey responses to the questions asked about the implementation of an enteral feeding protocol and various aspects of enteral feeding practices in the NICU., Results: : The majority of participants (60.9%) reported that an enteral feeding protocol was implemented in practice, but that it was inconsistently followed because of individual physician or nurse practice patterns, or highly individualized feeding plans required of specific clinical care needs of the patient. Respondents indicated that gestational age was the leading criteria used to initiate feedings, and patent ductus arteriosis treatment was the primary contraindication to enteral feedings. The leading factor reported to delay or alter enteral feedings was the presence of gastric residuals. Survey data indicated that other contraindicating factors to enteral feeding are variable across NICUs and, as reported, are often inconsistent with the current research published to date., Conclusions: : Research is needed to provide a foundation on which to develop effective enteral feeding protocols that are appropriate for the diversity of infants cared for in the NICU. Such research findings will culminate in the development and implementation of enteral feeding protocols in the NICU, which will result in improved nutrition, growth, and development outcomes for premature infants.

A comparative analysis of current practical recommendations on parenteral (PN) and enteral (EN) Nutrition in critical conditions, developed based on research evidence ASPEN/SCCM (USA), ESPEN (Europe) and SSGP (Canada) along with the similarity found a number of differences in major issues (raised levels of research necessary for the class of recommendations, t he need for and terms of use of PN, glycemic control, achieving the target level of EN), and private (indirect calorimetry, of the EN, the use of individual substrates in PN) as well. The differences make it difficult to select recommendations for use in clinical practice. Over 50% of practical advices are lower grade (based on expert opinion). Difficulties associated with implementation of evidence-based research, different theoretical and practical traditions and resource capabilities in the field of PN and EN in different countries, are the basis for their further harmonization and the development of national best practices in Russia.

Background: The 2003 Canadian clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for nutrition support in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients recommended early EN and maintaining a 45-degree head-of-bed (HOB) angle during EN administration. Current practices at University Health Network have not been examined with regard to these guidelines. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of mechanically ventilated, enterally fed intensive care unit patients meeting the CPG recommendations for early EN and HOB elevation., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving data collection in 2 parts. Early EN data were collected via chart review and HOB data through observation of HOB angle reader. Reasons for not meeting each recommendation were obtained when data were collected via chart review and feedback from nurses. data analysis was conducted using frequency distributions., Results: sixty-six percent of patients met the recommendation for early en. of those not meeting this recommendation, the most common reason for the delay was hemodynamic instability (28.1%). for the hob recommendation, 4.9% of patients met the 45 degree recommendation, and 52.5% had an hob angle between 21 and 30 degrees. the most common reason for not attaining the 45-degree angle was reported as unknown (29.5%)., Conclusions: The proportion of patients meeting clinical practice guidelines compares favorably to similar studies. In some cases, patients' clinical conditions or unit HOB angle protocol explained not meeting guidelines. However, there were cases where reasons for not meeting guidelines were unknown.

Although enteral formularies emerged over 30 years ago, their effectiveness remains to be clearly demonstrated. Enteral formulary (EF) development has occurred over 17 years at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (Toronto Rehab), and a historical account is available in the literature. At Toronto Rehab, the creative process begins with a review of specific nutrition support requirements for each patient population, which is coupled with a clinical decision-making algorithm to promote standardized clinical nutrition practices and selection of products. The requirements are translated into detailed product specifications for a streamlined array of oral and tube-feeding formulae. Despite outsourced food service systems, the feasibility of simple in-house production should be considered to help curtail overall costs. The promotion of consistent practices requires nutrition support guidelines, including indications and contraindications for each EF product. Competitive bidding practices and policies that scrutinize non-formulary requests and encourage automatic substitution for non-formulary products promote formulary adherence and contain costs. Ongoing evaluation is intended to capture changes in patient populations and product availability to target opportunities for future EF revisions.

Objective: Recently, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the provision of nutrition support in the critical care setting have been developed. To validate these guidelines, we hypothesized that intensive care units whose practice, on average, was more consistent with the guidelines would have greater success in providing enteral nutrition., Design: Prospective observational study., Setting: Fifty-nine intensive care units across Canada., Patients: Consecutive cohort of mechanically ventilated patients., Interventions: In May 2003, participating intensive care units recorded nutrition support practices on a consecutive cohort of mechanically ventilated patients who stayed for a minimum of 72 hrs. Sites enrolled an average of 10.8 (range, 4-18) patients for a total of 638. Patients were observed for an average of 10.7 days., Measurements and Main Results: We examined the association between five recommendations from the clinical practice guidelines most directly related to the provision of nutrition support (use of parenteral nutrition, feeding protocol, early enteral nutrition, small bowel feedings, and motility agents) and adequacy of enteral nutrition. We defined adequacy of enteral nutrition as the percent of prescribed calories that patients actually received. Across sites, the average adequacy of enteral nutrition over the observed stay in intensive care unit ranged from 1.8% to 76.6% (average 43.0%). Intensive care units with a greater than median utilization of parenteral nutrition (>17.5% patient days) had a much lower adequacy of enteral nutrition (32.9 vs. 52.7%, p < .0001). Intensive care units that used a feeding protocol tended to have a higher adequacy of enteral nutrition than those that did not (44.9 vs. 38.5%, p = .03). Intensive care units that initiated enteral nutrition on >50% of their patients within the first 48 hrs had a higher adequacy of enteral nutrition than those that did not (48.1 vs. 34.4%, p < .0001). Intensive care units that had a >50% utilization of motility agents and/or any small bowel feedings in patients with high gastric residuals tended to have a higher adequacy of enteral nutrition than those intensive care units that did not (45.6 vs. 39.2%, p = .04, and 48.4 vs. 41.8%, p = .16, respectively)., Conclusions: Intensive care units that were more consistent with the Canadian clinical practice guidelines were more likely to successfully feed patients via enteral nutrition. Adoption of the Canadian clinical practice guidelines should lead to improved nutrition support practice in intensive care units. This may translate into better outcomes for critically ill patients receiving nutrition support.