Complications of Bacterial Contamination of an Enteral Diet and Its Administration Set

Complications of contamination of an enteral diet and it administration set:

(1) loss of nutrient value secondary to bacterial consumption

(2) gastrointestinal upset including diarrhea

(3) bacterial colonization of gastrointestinal and/or upper respiratory tract

(4) exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria (if these colonize the system)

(5) infection (pneumonia, cellulitis and/or sepsis)

A patient at particular risk from contaminated enteral diet and the administration set:

(1) malnourished and debilitated

(2) gastric acid suppression

(3) immunosuppression

(4) cystic fibrosis

(5) prolonged therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics