Poster

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Abstract

Poster presented at ESPEN25 conference.

Authors

Edel Keaveney; Rachael Connolly; Eoin Gaughran; Tomas Thompson

Rockfield Medical Devices, Galway, Ireland

Rationale

Training new enteral nutrition (EN) patients on EN delivery systems typically occurs during hospitalisation or after discharge, allowing confirmation of competence in use.1 If patients and caregivers could independently learn to operate EN systems, this could reduce both the cost of training and demands on nutrition support staff.

Methods

A usability study was conducted involving 25 participants: seven EN patients, three caregivers and fifteen individuals with no prior EN experience. The study evaluated the instructional materials for a portable wearable elastomeric EN feeding system (Mobility+®) which works without gravity or electricity, is ENFit® compatible, safe, and effective.2 The system includes a lightweight feeding pouch (reservoir for 500mL EN formula); a filling-set (used with a syringe to fill the pouch); and giving-set tubing to deliver EN formula to user’s feeding tube or extension set and is disposable after 24 hours. Four giving-set tubing varieties exist, each of different length, allowing different flow rate offerings, with delivery of EN formula at rates suitable for continuous, cyclical, intermittent or bolus feedings.3 Participants were provided with the system, a 60ml ENFit syringe, EN formula, an instructional booklet and video. Without any instruction from a healthcare professional (HCP), they were asked to complete tasks involved in filling pouch, connecting to an extension set, delivering formula into a cup, wearing the system during movement, disconnecting, and flushing the system. Trained evaluators observed and evaluated task execution using checklists.

Results

All 25 participants, using only the provided instructional materials, were able to successfully complete tasks necessary to fill pouch; connect to extension set; deliver formula into a cup; wear system safely while moving; disconnect; and flush system. No serious use errors were observed.

Conclusion

Patients, caregivers and individuals with no prior EN experience can independently learn to operate a portable elastomeric EN feeding system using written and video instructions. Hospitals and enteral homecare providers utilising this portable system may benefit from a sparing of HCP time, and reduction in EN training resources and costs.

References

  1. Bering, J.; DiBaise, J.K. Home Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Nutrients 2022, 14, 2558.

    https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132558

  2. Mohamed Elfadil O, Keaveney E, Pattinson A, Johnson D, Connolly R, Patel S, Patel Y, Hurt R, & Mundi M. Utility, Safety and Effectiveness of a Novel Enteral Feeding System: A Prospective Cohort Study. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2025;49: S142. doi: 10.1002/jpen.2735

  3. Flow Rates of a Novel Enteral Feeding System. Connolly R, Mayne D, Keaveney, E. J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2024 FEB;48(S1): S73-S225 P27

    https://doi.org/10.1002/jpen.2604

Disclosure of Interest

E. Keaveney Other: Employee of Rockfield Medical Devices, R. Connolly Other: Employee of Rockfield Medical Devices, E. Gaughran Other: Employee of Rockfield Medical Devices, T. Thompson Other: Employee of Rockfield Medical Devices