Cost comparison between parenteral and enteral feeding in patients in intensive care
Hackl, J.M.; Gantner, M.L.; Kornberger, E.
Infusionstherapie und Klinische Ernahrung 6(6): 380-382
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0378-0791 PMID: 120328 Document Number: 142126
During 15 days 2 groups of 10 patients in intensive care were fed parenterally only or had a combined parenteral and, after first bowel movement, enteral diet. Energy supply was about the same for both groups, but proportions of protein were 13.7 and 14.5 and of fat under 10 and 36.6%. Calculated cost per day and per MJ was significantly less with the combined system than with complete parenteral nutrition and the difference became greater after 6 days of enteral feeding, when a steady state had been reached and patients continued to receive chemically defined diet or were transferred to Biosorbin or normal diet.