Description

The ENFIT Enteral Syringe is a specialized medical device engineered for the precise and safe administration of nutrition, hydration, and medication to patients requiring enteral feeding. Its design includes a unique ENFit connector, adhering to the ISO 80369-3 international standard, which significantly reduces the risk of misconnections with other medical systems such as intravenous lines, thereby enhancing patient safety.

Key Features

• Connector Design: The ENFit connector features a female tip that securely fits ENFit male connectors on enteral feeding tubes and medication ports. It is mechanically incompatible with Luer, oral, or catheter tip syringes, ensuring a secure locking mechanism with a recommended quarter turn for connection and disconnection.

• Compliance and Safety: By meeting the ISO 80369-3 standards, the syringe minimizes the risk of tubing misconnections, supporting global patient safety initiatives. This compliance is mandated in certain regions, including California.

Versatility and Options

• Types and Sizes: Available as single-use (sterile, individually packaged for hospital use) and reusable (individually packaged for home use) with common volume options ranging from 1 mL to 60 mL. The low dose tip design ensures accurate delivery of small medication doses, particularly for volumes less than 2.0 mL.

• Material Composition: Constructed free from diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), latex, and PVC, the syringe comprises three parts: barrel, plunger, and silicone gasket. Typically, the syringe is purple for easy identification, with clear measurement markings for precise dosing.

Intended Use and Compatibility

The ENFIT Enteral Syringe is intended for use across neonatal, pediatric, and adult patients, suitable for administering enteral nutrition, water flushes, and medications via enteral feeding tubes. It is exclusively compatible with ENFit-compatible enteral feeding tubes and device ports, with transition adapters available for legacy systems.

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Single-use Syringes: Designed for disposal after use.
• Reusable Syringes: Require cleaning with warm soapy water, rinsing, air drying, and storage in a clean container. Scrubbing components or drying with paper towels is not recommended.

Accessories

The syringe system includes various accessories such as ENFit bottle adapters, straws for medication preparation, transition adapters, and ENFit Lopez Valve for enhanced compatibility and functionality.

Implementation

Part of a global transition to standardized enteral connectors, the ENFit system began implementation in the UK in 2015, with legacy feeding tubes and transition connectors phased out by 2022. Proper training and adherence to local best practices are essential for healthcare professionals to ensure dosing accuracy and effective use.