Frequently Asked Questions
This section of the website contains answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) received by Abbott Nutrition. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact Abbott Nutrition on 1800 411 411 or use the live chat feature on our website to talk to a dietitian. You can also contact us by email at abbott_nutrition_irl@abbott.com.
- Sip Feeds
- Paediatric Feeds
- Tube Feeds
- Cooking with Abbott Nutrition Feeds
- Special Dietary Requirements, Allergies and Intolerances
- Feeding Pumps
- Feed, Giving Sets & Plastics
- Hospital to Home Service
- Dietetic Services
Sip Feeds
- What are sip feeds?
Sip feeds are specially-made drinks with energy, protein, and other nutrients. They are also called oral nutritional supplements (ONS).
- Which product best suits my patient?
Please contact the Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411 or use the live chat feature on our website to talk to a dietitian to see which product would be most suitable for your patient. You can also email us at abbott_nutrition_irl@abbott.com.
- Can sip feeds be used to replace regular meals?
Sip feeds are generally used to complement, not replace, a patient’s regular meals. It is important for patients to try to eat regular meals and snacks as recommended by their healthcare professional and take the number of sip feeds prescribed by their healthcare professional.
- When should sip feeds be taken?
- Take sip feeds as recommended by a healthcare professional.
- It is recommended to take them between or after meals, or before bedtime.
- Try avoid taking them with a meal or just before a meal, as they may fill up the stomach and reduce the amount of regular food that can be consumed.
- It is important to remember that these drinks are usually added to the diet and are not intended to replace normal food intake.
- How should sip feeds be taken?
Sip feeds can be taken directly from the bottle or can be poured into a glass. Sip feeds are usually best served chilled, and they can also be frozen or served as a dessert. If a warm drink is preferred, sip feeds can be gently heated in a saucepan. However, make sure not to boil sip feeds as this may affect the nutritional content.
Sip feeds can be incorporated into a wide variety of foods and drinks. Click here for recipes using our sip feeds.
- How many sip feeds are required each day?
As each patient's needs differ, a healthcare professional should provide guidance on the appropriate number of sip feeds to consume.
- Where can sip feeds be purchased?
Sip feeds are available from local pharmacies. They may be prescribed by GPs or dietitians. All of our sip feeds are General Medical Services (GMS) approved. If applicable, sip feeds will be covered by the medical card.
- How should sip feeds be stored?
- Sip feeds must be stored unopened in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Once opened, sip feeds should be covered and refrigerated and used within 24 hours.
- Discard any unused sip feeds after 24 hours.
- Any sip feed that has been decanted into a plastic container, also known as a Flexitainer®, should be discarded after 24 hours.
- Once clean and dry, the bottles can be recycled with household recyclable material.
- What should I do if my patient does not want to take sip feeds anymore?
It can be helpful to add variety to their supplements. Abbott Nutrition has a variety of flavours and styles of sip feeds that your patient can try. People who do not like the taste of milk often prefer the juice-style drinks, like Ensure® Plus Juce. You can order samples for your patient here to find which sip feed suits them best.
You can also add variety by using sip feeds in everyday recipes and drinks. Visit our recipes section for tasty ideas on how to include sip feeds in cooking that you may share with your patient.
- Who should I contact if I have any further questions?
If you have any questions about your patient's sip feeds, it is always best to speak to your patient's doctor, dietitian, or nurse first. You can also call the Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411 or use the live chat feature on our website. You can also email us at abbott_nutrition_irl@abbott.com.
- Can I heat my sip feed in the microwave?
Abbott Nutrition strongly advises against heating sip feeds in a microwave, as heat may not be evenly dispersed and this can result in the formation of hotspots.
Paediatric Feeds
- Who can benefit from paediatric sip feeds?
Our paediatric sip feeds are designed for the dietary management of children with, or at risk of developing disease-related malnutrition. These should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
- What is PaediaSure®?
The PaediaSure® range provides complete nutrition including energy, protein, vitamins and minerals needed for the dietary management of children with, or at risk of developing disease-related malnutrition. Click here to view the products in the PaediaSure®range.
2 bottles of PaediaSure® Plus contains the same nutrition as:
*Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) based off European Food Safety Values for a 7-10 year old.
Calories
600 calories
As 5 glasses of milk
Protein
16.8 g
As 2 large boiled eggs
Iron
6 mg (55% RNI*)
As 8oz beef steak
Calcium
332 mg (42% RNI*)
As 2 pots of yoghurt
- When should a child take sip feeds?
- Take sip feeds as recommended by a healthcare professional.
- It is recommended to take them between or after meals, or before bedtime.
- Avoid taking sip feeds with a meal or just before a meal, as they may fill up the stomach and reduce the amount of regular food that can be consumed.
- It is important to remember that these drinks are usually added to the diet and are not intended to replace normal food intake.
- How should children take sip feeds?
Sip feeds can be sipped directly from the bottle or can be poured into a glass. Sip feeds are usually best served chilled. They can also be frozen and served as a dessert. If something warmer is preferred, sip feeds can be gently heated in a saucepan. However, never boil sip feeds as this may affect the nutritional content.
The PaediaSure® range can be incorporated into a wide variety of foods and drinks. The nutritional value of a child’s normal diet can be increased by adding PaediaSure® to everyday recipes such as soup, sauces, smoothies, dinner and desserts.
- How many sip feeds does a child need each day?
As each patient's needs differ, a healthcare professional should provide guidance on the appropriate number of sip feeds to consume.
- Where can sip feeds be purchased?
Sip feeds and tube feeds are available from local pharmacies. They may be prescribed by a doctor or dietitian and are available on the General Medical Service Scheme (GMS).
- How should paediatric feeds be stored?
- Sip feeds and tube feeds must be stored unopened in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Once opened, sip feeds and tube feeds should be covered/resealed and kept in a refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Discard any unused sip feeds after 24 hours.
- Any sip feed that has been decanted into a plastic container, also known as a Flexitainer®, should be discarded after 24 hours.
- If tube feeds have been stored in a refrigerator (opened or unopened), allow the feed to reach room temperature before use for improved tolerance.
- Who should I contact if I have any further questions?
If you have any questions about your patients sip feeds, it is always best to speak to your patients doctor, dietitian or nurse first. You can also call the Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411, use the live chat feature on our website, or email us at abbott_nutrition_irl@abbott.com.
Tube Feeds
- How should tube feeds be stored?
- Tube feeds must be stored unopened in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Once opened, the feed should be covered/resealed and kept in a refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Discard any unused feed after 24 hours.
- Any feed that has been decanted into a plastic container, also known as a Flexitainer® should be discarded after 24 hours.
- If the feed has been stored in a refrigerator (opened or unopened), allow the feed to reach room temperature before use for improved tolerance.
- Directions for use
- Wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
- Check the expiry date on your feed.
- Open the giving set.
- Shake the feed container gently before opening.
- Unscrew the protective white cap, taking care not to touch the foil lid.
- Screw the cap of the giving set securely onto the feed container. The cap of the giving set will pierce the lid of the foil. Do not pierce the lid with scissors or other objects.
- Hang the container upside-down from the hook on the drip stand.
- Can additions be made to Abbott Nutrition feeds?
Patients should not make any additions to the feed without consulting their pharmacist or dietitian.
Cooking with Abbott Nutrition Feeds
- Can Abbott Nutrition sip feeds be used in cooking or with other foods?
Yes, our adult and paediatric sip feeds can be used in cooking or added to other foods. Ensure not to boil the feed, as this may affect the nutritional content. Visit our Recipes section for ideas.
- Instructions for heating sip feeds
- Shake the bottle well before use.
- Empty the contents of the bottle into a saucepan. Stir regularly during heating to ensure the sip feed heats through evenly. Do not allow the feed to boil, as this may affect the nutritional content of the sip feed.
- Any product that has been heated and not consumed within two hours should be discarded.
- Instructions for heating powdered sip feeds
- Make up the powdered nutritional supplement as per the instructions provided on the product label.
- Pour the reconstituted drink into a saucepan. Stir regularly during heating to ensure the drink heats through evenly. Do not allow the drink to boil, as this may affect the nutritional content of the sip feed.
- Any product that has been heated and not consumed within two hours should be discarded.
- Can Abbott Nutrition sip feeds be frozen?
Yes. To consume sip feeds frozen, we would recommend that the feed is poured into a clean, freezer safe container and then frozen. Once thawed the feed should not be refrozen. Some physical change(s) may occur due to the freezing process however this does not affect the nutritional quality of the product.
Special Dietary Requirements, Allergies and Intolerances
- Are Abbott Nutrition feeds gluten free?
At the time of writing, the Abbott Nutrition Range is gluten free, and is suitable for people with Coeliac disease or those who have a gluten intolerance.
However, as changes can occur in manufacturing processes, please contact the Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411 for up-to-date information regarding the “Free-From” status of all Abbott Nutrition products.
- Are Abbott Nutrition feeds lactose free?
There are products in the Abbott Nutrition range which are suitable for those who are lactose intolerant. Please contact the Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411 for up-to-date information regarding the “Free-From” status of all Abbott Nutrition products.
- Are Abbott Nutrition feeds milk protein free?
No. Please contact our Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411 if you require further advice.
- Are Abbott Nutrition feeds suitable for vegetarians?
There are products in the Abbott Nutrition range which are suitable for vegetarians. Please contact the Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411 for up-to-date information regarding the “Free-From” status of all Abbott Nutrition products.
- Are Abbott Nutrition feeds suitable for vegans?
Abbott Nutrition feeds are not suitable for people following a vegan diet, because they contain milk protein. Please contact our Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411 if you require further advice.
- Are Abbott Nutrition feeds nut and nut oil free?
Please contact the Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411 for up-to-date information regarding “Free-From” status of all Abbott Nutrition products.
- Are Abbott Nutrition feeds suitable for Halal diets?
For information on the suitability of products for a Halal diet, please contact our Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411.
- Are Abbott Nutrition feeds suitable for Kosher diets?
For information on suitability of products for a Kosher diet, please contact our Abbott Nutrition Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411.
- Are Abbott Nutrition sip feeds suitable for patients with diabetes?
Abbott Nutrition has a sip feed, Glucerna® Advance 1.6kcal, and a tube feed, Glucerna® 1.5kcal, which have been designed specifically to meet the nutritional needs of people with diabetes or abnormal glucose metabolism. However, all Abbott Nutrition sip feeds are suitable for people with diabetes, depending on the patient's medical status and provided that routine glucose checks are performed.
- Can electrolytes be added to tube feeds?
No. Electrolytes such as sodium and potassium should not be added to tube feeds as this will affect the stability, osmolality and viscosity of the feed.
- Are Abbott Nutrition sip feeds suitable for children?
Abbott Nutrition provides a comprehensive range of sip feeds and tube feeds in the PaediaSure® range that are specifically designed for children aged 1-10 years, and weighing 8-30kg. Click here to view the PaediaSure® range.
Other sip feeds may be suitable for paediatrics under the guidance of a healthcare professional, such as Ensure® Compact.
Similac High Energy® is an energy dense food for special medical purposes designed for the dietary management of disease-related malnutrition, growth failure, increased energy requirements and/or fluid restriction infants and children from birth to 8kg (or up to 18 months of age*).
*Product should be used along with solid food in older infants.
Feeding Pumps
- How does Abbott Nutrition supply FreeGo® feeding pumps to patients at home?
- The patient's healthcare professional will order the patient's FreeGo® feeding pump from Abbott Nutrition.
- Abbott Nutrition will dispatch the FreeGo® pump.
- The Health Product Regulatory Authority (previously known as the IMB) require that the location of each feeding pump is recorded. Please contact Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home on 1800 22 11 66 if the location of a feeding pump changes.
- Please contact Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home on 1800 22 11 66 if the feeding pump is no longer required.
- How are Abbott Nutrition FreeGo feeding pumps supplied to hospitals?
Generally, a hospital will have a stock of FreeGo® feeding pumps that are supplied by Abbott Nutrition. The number of FreeGo® pumps will depend on the size of the hospital and the number of patients that require enteral feeding. Please contact Hospital to Home on 1800 22 11 66, or an Abbott representative if your hospital would like to order a FreeGo® pump.
- Will Abbott Nutrition supply my patient with a backpack for their feeding pump?
Abbott Nutrition provide backpacks which can be used with the FreeGo® feeding pump. This allows the patient to continue feeding even when out and about or whilst travelling. Please contact the Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home team on 1800 22 11 66 for more information.
- How often should feeding pumps be cleaned?
FreeGo® feeding pumps should be cleaned carefully and thoroughly every day. The FreeGo® pump should be wiped with a soft damp cloth and warm water. The FreeGo® pump is water resistant and can be rinsed under running water. Ensure the pump is not immersed in water. The FreeGo® pump should be dried thoroughly after cleaning.
- What should I do if my patient’s FreeGo® feeding pump alarms and indicates a blockage?
If your patient's feeding pump is not working properly, follow the “troubleshooting” advice on the side of the FreeGo® feeding pump or refer to the pump instruction manual. If the feeding pump indicates a blockage, contact your GP, Public Health Nurse, or Dietitian as soon as possible.
- What should I do if my patient’s FreeGo® feeding pump is not working properly?
If your patient's feeding pump is not working properly, follow the “troubleshooting” advice on the side of the FreeGo® feeding pump or refer to the pump instruction manual. If the feeding pump is still not working properly, contact the Hospital to Home team on 1800 22 11 66. The Hospital to Home coordinators will take you through a checklist to see if the problem can be easily solved.
In an emergency, if the FreeGo® feeding pump needs to be replaced we can arrange a replacement pump to be delivered, including weekends and bank holidays. In all other cases, faulty feeding pumps can be replaced within one working day.
- How can patients arrange to take their pump, feed and feeding equipment with them when going on holiday?
If you are going on holiday, Abbott's Hospital to Home service can advise you about
the various options available to support you while tube feeding away from home. In
some cases, Abbott can help transport your feed to many popular holiday
destinations. For short trips (less than one week duration) or some destinations (e.g.
USA), it may be advisable to bring your feed and equipment with you on the flight,
due to customs regulations or possible delays.
For advice and support, please contact the Hospital to Home service at least four to
six weeks in advance of your departure, to ensure sufficient time to make any
arrangements necessary. Call 1800 22 11 66 or email h2h@abbott.com.
Feed, Giving Sets & Plastics
- How are feeds dispensed?
Feeds are dispensed by your local pharmacy against a prescription written by a doctor or other prescribing healthcare professional.
- How often should a patient change their giving set or flexitainer®?
All Abbott Nutrition giving sets and Flexitainers® show the following “single use” symbol.
Single use means that giving set and/or Flexitainers® can be used intermittently over a 24 hour period as long as the giving set is not separated from the bottle of feed or Flexitainer®. After 24 hours, the giving set and Flexitainer® should be discarded to prevent bacterial contamination.
Please contact your patient's healthcare professional for advice if they are feeding intermittently or using a powdered or decanted feed.
- What should my patient do with the used giving sets once they have finished with them?
Any used giving sets should be discarded with household waste as they are not recyclable.
- What should my patient do with the used feeding containers once they have finished with them?
Any used feeding containers can be rinsed and recycled, or discarded with household waste.
- For how long can Abbott Nutrition ready-to-hang bottles be hung?
As a guide, Abbott Nutrition ready-to-hang bottles can be hung for up to 24 hours, provided the giving set is not changed. Always follow the advice of a healthcare professional.
- What should a patient do if their feeding tube is leaking?
They should contact their doctor, public health nurse or dietitian.
- From where do you get giving sets and syringes?
When leaving the hospital, your Dietitian will arrange an order for giving sets, syringes and Flexitainers® (if required) with your local health centre or local pharmacy. When you have 7 days’ supply left, contact your local health centre or local pharmacy to re-order more giving sets and syringes.
- Does my patient require ENFit® Adaptors?
ENFit® adaptors are only required if the PEG tube has not been updated to a new ENFit® compliant PEG tube. For further information on how to order ENFit® adaptors, please contact the Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home helpline on 1800 22 11 66.
Hospital to Home Service
- What products can Hospital to Home supply my patients with?
Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home service will supply your patient with the following to assist them in managing their tube feeding at home:
- FreeGo® feeding pump.
- Drip stand.
- Starter pack of giving sets.
- A portable carrying bag for the FreeGo® feeding pump, if required.
- How will my patient be trained on how to use the Abbott Nutrition feeding pump?
Before a patient is discharged from hospital, they will be trained on how to use the Abbott Nutrition FreeGo® feeding pump. This may include how to use a feeding pump, how to use a giving set and how to set up the feed.
The patient will be provided with an information booklet to take home. These will usually be provided by your patient's dietitian or the Abbott representative.
The pump instruction manual includes a step-by-step guide on the pump, information on troubleshooting, and contact numbers.
You can register your patient with the Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home service, which provides them with additional support in making the transition from hospital to home.
- How do I register a patient with Hospital to Home?
Please contact Hospital to Home on 1800 22 11 66 or email h2h@abbott.com to register a patient.
- What if my patient does not require the Hospital to Home service anymore?
When your patients treatment has ended, the Abbott Nutrition Hospital to Home team will arrange to collect the pump from your patient free of charge. Please contact Hospital to Home on 1800 22 11 66 to arrange collection.
- Is there a Hospital to Home helpline and if so, when is it open?
Yes, the Hospital to Home service operates a helpline, 1800 22 11 66. It is a freephone number and is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, excluding Bank Holidays. You can also contact Hospital to Home by email at h2h@abbott.com.
For pump-related emergencies outside normal business hours, please dial the freephone number and listen for the options to either contact the out-of-hours nurse on call or to leave a message which will be picked up on the next working day.
Dietetic Services
- What are Abbott Nutrition’s Dietetic Services?
The Dietetic Services team provides advice on Abbott Nutrition products as well as support for patients, family members, carers and healthcare professionals. To speak with one of our Dietitians, freephone the Dietetic Helpline on 1800 411 411 from 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. Alternatively you can use our live chat feature on the website or email abbott_nutrition_irl@abbott.com, and one of our dietitians will help.
- How can I request some clinical papers or a literature search?
Email us at abbott_nutrition_irl@abbott.com with details of your request.