Calculated based on providing 100% of target calories via formula.
// Handle Custom Density Toggle
document.getElementById('tf_density').onchange = function() {
var val = this.value;
var customGroup = document.getElementById('tf_custom_density_group');
if(val === 'custom') {
customGroup.style.display = 'block';
} else {
customGroup.style.display = 'none';
}
};
function calculateTFRate() {
var calories = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tf_calories').value);
var densitySelect = document.getElementById('tf_density').value;
var density = 0;
var hours = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tf_hours').value);
// Determine density value
if (densitySelect === 'custom') {
density = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tf_density_custom').value);
} else {
density = parseFloat(densitySelect);
}
// Validation
if (isNaN(calories) || calories <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid target calorie amount.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(density) || density <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid caloric density.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(hours) || hours 24) {
alert("Please enter a valid duration (1-24 hours).");
return;
}
// Calculation Logic
var totalVolume = calories / density;
var hourlyRate = totalVolume / hours;
// Display Results
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('tf_results');
var rateDisplay = document.getElementById('tf_final_rate');
var volumeDisplay = document.getElementById('tf_final_volume');
rateDisplay.innerHTML = hourlyRate.toFixed(1) + " mL/hr";
volumeDisplay.innerHTML = totalVolume.toFixed(0) + " mL";
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
}
Mastering Tube Feeding Calculations: A Guide for Clinicians and Caregivers
Ensuring proper nutrition through enteral feeding (tube feeding) requires precise calculations to meet a patient's caloric needs while managing fluid volume tolerance. This calculator assists in determining the correct hourly infusion rate based on daily caloric goals, formula concentration, and the feeding schedule.
How to Calculate Tube Feeding Rate
The calculation involves two main steps: determining the total volume of formula required and then dividing that volume by the time allocated for feeding.
Step 1: Calculate Total Volume Required
First, you must determine how much liquid formula is needed to meet the daily caloric goal. This depends on the caloric density of the specific formula being used (measured in kcal/mL).
Formula: Total Volume (mL) = Daily Caloric Goal (kcal) ÷ Formula Density (kcal/mL)
Step 2: Calculate Hourly Rate
Once you have the total volume, divide it by the number of hours the pump will run per day. Continuous feeds run for 24 hours, while cyclic feeds run for a shorter duration (e.g., 12 or 16 hours).
Consider a patient with a nutritional requirement of 1,800 calories per day.
Scenario A (Standard Formula): Using a 1.0 kcal/mL formula over 24 hours.
Total Volume = 1800 / 1.0 = 1800 mL
Rate = 1800 / 24 = 75 mL/hr
Scenario B (Fluid Restricted): Using a 1.5 kcal/mL formula over a 12-hour cyclic schedule (common for overnight feeds).
Total Volume = 1800 / 1.5 = 1200 mL
Rate = 1200 / 12 = 100 mL/hr
Feeding Schedule Types
Continuous Feeding: Administered at a slow, constant rate over 24 hours. This is often preferred for critically ill patients or those with feeding intolerance to minimize aspiration risk.
Cyclic Feeding: Administered over a specific period (e.g., 8 to 16 hours), usually at night. This allows the patient freedom from the pump during the day.
Bolus Feeding: Larger volumes administered over short periods (e.g., via syringe) several times a day. This mimics normal meal patterns but requires gastric tolerance.
Important Considerations
While this calculator provides the math for the goal rate, clinical practice often requires "titration." This means starting at a lower rate (e.g., 10-20 mL/hr) and advancing every 4-8 hours until the calculated goal rate is reached, ensuring the patient tolerates the feed without vomiting, diarrhea, or high gastric residuals.