There are two administration options for tube feeding:
- pump feeding, where the feed is administered using an enteral feeding pump, which can be used either continuously or intermittently. The advantages here are the control over the rate of infusion, the reduced risk of nausea and vomiting, and the increased absorbance which increases tolerance which reduces the incidence of diarrhoea. Slowly introducing the feed means that gut atrophy may reverse - thus normally the maximum level of feed will only be reached after a number of days.
- bolus feeding is the intermittent administration of feed via a syringe, and should only be used in the minority of patients - the confused, the restless, some patients in the community.
If the patient requires feeding for more than 4 weeks then there will be a need for supplementary vitamins and trace elements. Feeds used are gluten and lactulose free.