BE A.L.E.R.T.

BE Practice Safe Enteral Medication Delivery

AWAREAsk the
.

Water
.

Administer
.

Remember
.

Establish
PROTOCOL

oral
Pharmacist ONLY medications the ‘Rights’ evidence-
about… based
protocols
• drug-nutrient interactions • to dilute medications • identify if tube location • right
 patient, drug, time, • follow your facility’s
(including liquid meds) (distal end) allows for safe dose, route (PO ≠ via tube) medication protocols
• drug-drug interactions
• to routinely flush the tube and adequate drug delivery • right syringe, drug • establish specific enteral
• adverse drug reactions medication protocols
• flush before/after each • 1 medication at a time – formulation, dilution, tube
• appropriate dosage form do not mix drugs together and medication port based on:
medication administered using - National Guidelines
• risk of a drug clogging an amount appropriate for the • do not add medication Only:
- oral or enteral syringes - Practice Recommendations
the tube patient’s age and condition directly to formula - www.nutritioncare.org/
- immediate-release solid or
• whether location of the feeding • use water ONLY • identify medications that oral liquid dosage forms safety
tube’s distal end allows safe (no carbonated beverages, must be separated from
and adequate drug delivery juices, coffee, other liquids) formula by ≥30 minutes

American Society for Parenteral

and Enteral Nutrition
© 2010 Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
Nestlé is a trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland. All rights reserved.
www.nestlenutrition.com/us www.nutritioncare.org
A.S.P.E.N. is a registered trademark of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 1-800-422-ASK2 (2752) An A.S.P.E.N. safety campaign, supported by Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition. NEST-10958-1209