SPOON FEEDING OF AN ADULT ILL PATIENT

REQUIREMENTS #

1. A tray containing:
   1. Food
   2. Spoon
   3. Bottle of drinking water
   4. Cup
   5. Napkins
   6. Serviette
2. A bowl of water
3. Hand washing soap
4. Bedpan/urinal if necessary
5. Mouth wash

STEPS #

1. Establish rapport (Refer to steps)
2. Explain the procedure to the patient and inform him/her about the kind of food about to serve
3. Ask patient if he/she want to empty the bladder/bowel before eating
4. Offer bedpan/urinal if required
5. Assist patient to perform hand hygiene
6. Perform hand hygiene and prepare meal tray
7. Put patient into a desirable position
8. Give patient a mouth wash
9. Bring food in a tray to patient’s bedside and place it on the cardiac table
10. Protect patient’s clothing with the serviette
11. Ensure patient is in a comfortable position and ask if prayer is preferred
12. Sit beside the patient if convenient to make patient feel relaxed
13. Take food by spoon in small bits into patient’s mouth not too far back
14. Allow patient time to chew and swallow
15. Coordinate the opening of the mouth while introducing the food
16. Continue feeding until patient is satisfied
17. Give water intermittently as required by patient
18. Clean patient’s lips and give a mouth wash
19. Remove serviette and reposition patient comfortable
20. Encourage patient to comment on the food served
21. Congratulate patient and discard tray
22. Dispose off tray and wash items
23. Perform hand hygiene and document on appropriate charts (manual or electronic)