For optimal outcomes, ventilator patients must be well nourished and should begin taking nutrition early. But like any patient who can¡¯t swallow normally, they need an alternative nutrition route. Preferably, they should have feeding tubes with liquid nutrition provided through the gut. If this isn¡¯t possible, the healthcare team will consider parenteral nutrition.

Patients with tracheostomy tubes may be able to swallow food. Follow the physician¡¯s orders and consult speech and respiratory therapists.