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Spinal Cord Injury, SCI, Traumatic — Nutrition — Clinical Pathway: Emergency and Inpatient

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Clinical Pathway — Emergency Department and ICU

Nutrition

Nutrition
  • Goal: Initiate nutrition by 48 hours with advance to goal by 72 hours
    • TPN/IL vs. enteral feeds vs. PO intake — advance as tolerated
      • Calorie counts when tolerating PO intake
  • GI Prophylaxis
    • Convert to enteral equivalents — Famotidine or Omeprazole
    • May discontinue when extubated and tolerating enteral feeds at goal
  • Consider Need for Surgical Feeding Tube
    • Determined by PICU and Trauma based on SCI level/need for ongoing supplemental enteral feeds
  • Swallow Evaluation
    • Performed by Speech Therapy
    • Required before initiating PO if:
      • High C-spine injury
      • Prolonged intubation or tracheostomy
      • Halo fixation

 

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