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Abstract Aspiration is a serious complication among enterally tube fed and mechanically ventilated patients. It results in increased patient mortality, increased length of hospital stay, and increased healthcare costs. This article describes an evidence-based practice approach to the creation of an enteral feeding guidelines and an aspiration risk reduction algorithm. Thus, a safe and effective enteral feeding practices can be followed for the critically ill patient. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of implementing nursing guidelines for tube feeding on the occurrence of aspiration among critically ill patients. A quasi experimental research design was utilized and the study was conducted on 60 adult patients. The sixty patients assigned into two groups (study and control) each group consisted of 30 patients. The study group involved patients which were received tube feeding guidelines while the control group involved patients who were received routine nursing care of tube feeding. The study was conducted in Surgical and Medical Intensive Care Unit at Emergency Hospital of Mansoura University. The results of the present study indicated that occurrence of aspiration was found 23.3% of the control group compared to 3.3% of the study group. Consistent relationship was found between occurrence of aspiration and its risk factors such as supine position, advanced age, decrease level of consciousness, low endotracheal cuff pressure, high gastric residual volumes, and poor oral care. The findings indicated that tube feeding guidelines can minimize occurrence of aspiration in critically ill patients. |