16 May 2024 • Though early initiation of enteral nutrition (EN) in critically ill patients has been established as an important step to recovery, optimal feeding parameters, including the number of calories that should be provided, remain unknown and an important target to improve critical illness outcomes.

Expanding on prior evidence, researchers found that achieving 70% of recommended enteral nutrition (EN) within 2 days of intubation markedly reduced in-hospital mortality & improved outcomes in the ICU setting.

Patients meeting this ""early goal EN"" showed a 27% reduction in the risk of death, a 27% increase in successful extubation & a 24% higher likelihood of being discharged alive vs. those receiving lower EN.

Source: BMJ | Read full story