PUSH-IT Continuing Enteral Feeds for Tracheostomy

Malnutrition is a significant problem in the critically ill, however with busy operating room schedules, we often find that feeds are interrupted repetitively prior to elective surgery. These interruptions are practiced based on the American Society of Anesthesiologist guidelines for fasting intervals for elective surgery. These guidelines, however, were not created for critically ill, intubated patients. The theoretical concern for an increased risk of aspiration with continuation of enteral feeds up to the time of surgery persists without supporting evidence. Thus, there is a need for a universal evidence-based guideline on perioperative enteral feeding to benefit critical care patients.

To this end, the goal of the present study is to implement a protocol designed to decrease the interruption of enteral feeds in critical care patients undergoing tracheostomy and prospectively evaluate whether this leads to a quantitative increase in nutritional intake without increasing the risk of aspiration. Additionally, we hope that increasing quantitative nutrition may decrease morbidity especially in the small subset of patients where feed interruptions occur repetitively.

If the aims of the project are achieved, the data obtained from this study will be used to create an evidence-based platform from which physicians can practice. This will end the anecdotal controversy regarding perioperative tube feed management for tracheostomy; thereby increasing quantitative nutrition and hopefully improving the care of critically ill patients.