Regarding infectious complications, which statement is true?

Regarding infectious complications, which statement is true?

• A. Exceeding hang-time guidelines is not a risk for bacterial contamination
• B. The enteral tube site should be routinely cultured
• C. Open systems have less exogenous bacterial contamination
• D. Bacterial contamination may originate from the patient's throat, lung and stomach

Answer: (D)

Infectious complications from enteral feeding often come from contamination that originates with the patient’s own microbiota and secretions contacting the tube. As feed travels from the mouth into the stomach, bacteria from the oropharynx and stomach can contaminate the lumen or feeding equipment, and secretions from the respiratory tract can reach the tube, especially if microaspiration occurs. This is why bacterial contamination may originate from the patient’s throat, lung, and stomach. Practically, exceeding hang-time guidelines increases, not eliminates, the risk of bacterial growth; open systems are more prone to exogenous contamination than closed systems; and routine culturing of the tube site isn’t recommended unless an infection is suspected.

Infectious complications from enteral feeding often come from contamination that originates with the patient’s own microbiota and secretions contacting the tube. As feed travels from the mouth into the stomach, bacteria from the oropharynx and stomach can contaminate the lumen or feeding equipment, and secretions from the respiratory tract can reach the tube, especially if microaspiration occurs. This is why bacterial contamination may originate from the patient’s throat, lung, and stomach.

Practically, exceeding hang-time guidelines increases, not eliminates, the risk of bacterial growth; open systems are more prone to exogenous contamination than closed systems; and routine culturing of the tube site isn’t recommended unless an infection is suspected.