Dietitians and Small Bowel Feeding Tube Placement

Some advanced practice nutrition support dietitians have added small bowel feeding tube placement to their scope of responsibility. This is due, in part, to the challenges of gaining early enteral access in patients with functioning Cl tracts. Emerging literature supports the practice of skilled practitioners placing feeding tubes at bedside. A variety of methods can be used to place tubes at the bedside. The nutrition support dietitian must understand licensure and liability considerations to perform this invasive procedure. This article will review literature reports of dietitians placing feeding tubes and provide information on the methods used, training and competencies required, and legal issues involved. (Nutr Clin Pract, 2010;25:270-276)