How long can open tube feedings be kept before they must be disposed of?

Open tube feedings should be discarded after 24 hours to ensure safety and prevent the risk of bacterial growth. This time frame is established as a guideline to maintain the quality and safety of the feeding formula once it has been exposed to the open environment. After 24 hours, the risk of contamination increases significantly, which could pose health risks to the patient receiving the feedings.

While some formulations might have varying guidelines for specific conditions or circumstances, the 24-hour guideline is widely accepted in clinical practice for standard open tube feedings to optimize patient safety and nutrition. Therefore, choosing this option aligns with established protocols for handling enteral nutrition effectively.