Problems with use of a Foley catheter in enteral tube feeding.

This article discusses the unlicensed use of a Foley catheter in home enteral tube feeding in the community. It is now clear that patients on long-term enteral feeding in the community may require replacement of their feeding tubes due to deterioration, damage or tube dislodgment. Often, these conventional feeding tubes such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and radiologically inserted gastrostomy tubes are replaced with similar tubes or with balloon gastrostomy tubes. However, the use of a Foley catheter in place of conventional feeding tubes as replacement tube has been observed in a number of patients in practice and documented in literature. The Foley catheter is significantly less expensive and easily accessible than conventional feeding tubes or balloon gastrostomy tubes. However, its use as an enteral feeding tube has implications for practice in terms of its use as unlicensed product, consent, ethics and professional responsibilities. Issues relating to body image and quality of life are also discussed.