Comparison of the three enteral product distribution system

With increasing use, costs of enteral products are an increasing portion of the foodservice budget. A study was designed to compare three enteral product distribution systems to determine if waste could be reduced. In addition, labor time and nursing satisfaction were measured for each system. The present system consisted of product delivery to the bedside daily based on physician order. An alternate system involved product delivery as floor stock to locked nourishment rooms on each nursing unit. The second alternate system consisted of product delivery to a locked cabinet accessed with a coded computer keypad. Alternate systems were trialed on two patient care units with a high volume of enteral product use. Analysis of variance was used to compare variables for each delivery system. Each of the alternate systems significantly reduced product dispensed and product wasted (p $le$ 0.05). Alternate systems also required less labor and resulted in higher nursing satisfaction ratings (p $le$ 0.05). Based on these results, delivery of enteral products to a central location on the nursing unit rather than to the patient bedside reduced waste and improved nursing satisfaction.