Therapeutic Feeding and Nutrition Support

Choose the least invasive safe route

Start with oral intake when it is safe and sufficient, then use enteral nutrition when the gastrointestinal tract works but oral intake cannot meet needs. Use parenteral nutrition when the tract is inaccessible, nonfunctional, or cannot provide enough nutrition despite an appropriate enteral plan. Route decisions also reflect urgency, expected duration, aspiration risk, anatomy, motility, absorption, access risk, prognosis, goals, and patient preference. A route is not successful merely because it delivers formula. It must deliver the prescribed nutrition and water safely, fit daily life, preserve function where possible, and have a feasible monitoring and discharge plan.