Nutritional support: formulas and delivery of enteral feeding. I. Enteral formulas.

Hospital malnutrition is a recognized condition that may be treated with a variety of feeding modalities. It is possible to achieve the goal of nutritional repletion with enteral feedings. Enteral feedings can now be prescribed for more types of patients because of our ability to better manipulate nutrition sources and the availability of modules and formulas designed for special use. The lower costs associated with enteral feeding have made it an option when nutritional support is required for a patient who has a functioning gastrointestinal tract.