The total amount of formula prescribed for 24 hours.
Enter 24 for continuous feeding, or less for cyclic feeding.
Standard formulas are often 1.0 or 1.2 kcal/mL.
Required Pump Rate:0 mL/hr
Total Calories Provided:0 kcal/day
Total Volume:0 mL
Understanding Enteral Feeding Rates
Administering enteral nutrition involves delivering liquid nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract via a tube. Calculating the correct flow rate is crucial to ensure the patient receives the prescribed volume and caloric intake without exceeding their tolerance limits.
Medical Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and planning purposes only. Always verify flow rates and dosages with the prescribing physician or a registered dietitian before administering nutrition.
How to Calculate Feeding Pump Rates
The flow rate for an enteral feeding pump is measured in milliliters per hour (mL/hr). The basic formula used by this calculator is:
Flow Rate (mL/hr) = Total Daily Volume (mL) ÷ Hours of Administration
For example, if a patient requires 1500 mL of formula over a continuous 24-hour period:
1500 mL ÷ 24 hours = 62.5 mL/hr
Continuous vs. Cyclic Feeding
Depending on the patient's condition and lifestyle, feeding schedules may vary:
Continuous Feeding: Administered over 24 hours. This results in a slower hourly rate, which may be better tolerated by critically ill patients.
Cyclic Feeding: Administered over a shorter period (e.g., 8 to 16 hours), often overnight. This allows the patient freedom from the pump during the day but requires a higher hourly flow rate to achieve the same total volume.
Calculating Caloric Intake
To ensure the patient meets their energy requirements, you must account for the caloric density of the formula. Most standard formulas contain 1.0 kcal/mL, but concentrated formulas may contain 1.2, 1.5, or even 2.0 kcal/mL.
Calculation: Total Volume (mL) × Caloric Density (kcal/mL) = Total Calories
Safety Considerations
When setting up an enteral feeding pump, always consider:
Start Low, Go Slow: Often, feeds are started at a lower rate (e.g., 20-30 mL/hr) and advanced gradually to the goal rate to prevent gastrointestinal intolerance.
Flushes: Water flushes are usually required before and after medication administration and at set intervals to maintain hydration and tube patency. These are not included in the formula volume calculation.
Tolerance: Monitor for signs of intolerance such as abdominal distension, high gastric residual volumes, or nausea.
function calculateFeedingRate() {
// Get input elements by ID
var volumeInput = document.getElementById('efTotalVolume');
var durationInput = document.getElementById('efDuration');
var densityInput = document.getElementById('efCaloricDensity');
var resultBox = document.getElementById('efResultBox');
// Parse values
var volume = parseFloat(volumeInput.value);
var duration = parseFloat(durationInput.value);
var density = parseFloat(densityInput.value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(volume) || volume <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid target total volume greater than 0.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(duration) || duration 24) {
alert("Please enter a valid duration between 0.1 and 24 hours.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(density) || density <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid caloric density (e.g., 1.0).");
return;
}
// Calculations
var flowRate = volume / duration;
var totalCalories = volume * density;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('efRateResult').innerText = flowRate.toFixed(1) + " mL/hr";
document.getElementById('efCaloriesResult').innerText = Math.round(totalCalories).toLocaleString() + " kcal/day";
document.getElementById('efVolumeResult').innerText = Math.round(volume).toLocaleString() + " mL";
// Show result box
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
}