BACTERIAL-CONTAMINATION OF ENTERAL FEEDS AND FEEDING SYSTEMS

It is now widely recognised that enteral feeds may become contaminated with microorganisms during preparation and administration. Evidence i s presented illustrasting the role of this contamination in the develo pment of infectious complications, including bacteraemia, septicaemia, pneumonia, diarrhoea and infectious entercolitis. Details are given o f potential sources of microbial contamination including the feed ingr edients, inadequately cleaned equipment, personnel and the patients th emselves. Routes by which the microorganisms may gain access to the fe eds, such as the procedures involved in the preparation and mixing of ingredients, decanting of both mixed and sterile ready-to-use feeds an d assembly and subsequent manipulation of the feeding systems, are con sidered. Factors affecting the rate of growth of microorganisms in fee ds and feeding systems are discussed and suggestions are made as to th e procedures that can be implemented to reduce the risk of contaminati on.