Article
Comparison of Microbial Growth Between Commercial Formula and Blenderized Food for Tube Feeding
Nutrition in Clinical Practice
(2019)
Abstract
Background
Many healthcare facilities and providers prohibit blenderized tube feeding (BTF) for patients who request it due to concerns of high microbial load. The current project compared microbial loads of a standard ready-to-feed polymeric commercial formula (CF), a BTF made using baby food (BTF-BF), and a BTF prepared from blending whole food (BTF-WF), following food safety standards expected of U.S. hospitals.
Methods
Three tube-feeding formulas (CF, BTF-BF, BTF-WF) were prepared in a U.S. hospital and delivered in vitro to an unoccupied patient room. Samples were collected at zero hour, 2 hours, and 4 hours and compared for growth of aerobic microorganisms, Staphylococus aureus, coliforms, and Escherichia coli. The experiment was conducted in triplicate, 1 week apart.
Results
No S. aureus or coliform/E. coli were detected at any time point following preparation, and total bacterial count was well below acceptable limits. All 3 feeding formulas at zero hour, 2 hours, and 4 hours for each of the 3 sampling dates were acceptable for human consumption.
Conclusion
Judicious BTF recipe selection and adherence to safe food handling provide a safe feeding substrate equivalent to CF in the hospital setting. Due to increased use and interest in BTF by patients and their caregivers, healthcare facilities may need to reexamine their policies prohibiting BTF use.
Keywords
- bacterial load,
- blenderized enteral formula,
- enteral nutrition,
- food safety,
- patient safety
Disciplines
Publication Date
April, 2019
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10226
Citation Information
Teresa W. Johnson, D. L. Milton, Kelly Johnson, Holly Carter, et al.. "Comparison of Microbial Growth Between Commercial Formula and Blenderized Food for Tube Feeding" Nutrition in Clinical Practice Vol. 34 Iss. 2 (2019) p. 257 - 263 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/amy-spurlock/8/