Infection control in enteral feed and feeding systems in the community.

This article examines the infection risk to adult patients receiving home enteral nutrition (HEN) and strategies for its prevention and management. Enteral nutrition was historically associated with acute care settings owing to its invasive nature. The changing landscape of community care means that it is now likely to be administered in the patient's home or in other community settings such as nursing homes. HEN is associated with two main routes of infection risks: the risk of gastrointestinal infection from contamination of the feed and feeding accessories, and local wound infection at the stoma site. Guidelines for the prevention and control of HEN-associated infection are provided and explained. These guidelines emphasise patient and carer education, effective hand hygiene, correct storage and administration of the feed, early detection and management of potential infections.