La Rabida’s Tube Feeding Task Force (TFTF) is an interdisciplinary team that is dedicated to positively transforming the mealtime experience for patients. Created by La Rabida’s Chief of Speech Language Pathology, Allison Lee, the TFTF is made up of staff from La Rabida’s rehab, child life, nutrition, and respiratory departments who all share the same goal – to promote a positive feeding experience for patients who rely on enteral feeding.

One initiative that the TFTF has implemented is called “Snack Attack,” a weekly group that transforms mealtimes for La Rabida’s inpatient kids by creating opportunities for socialization and providing strategies to reduce discomfort.

Snack Attack takes place in the therapy kitchen and provides patients with an opportunity to experience a positive feeding experience in a social setting with their peers and caretakers.

Many of our patients have spent the entirety of their lives within the walls of the hospital and have never experienced a typical mealtime because feedings are often done in their hospital rooms.

Mealtimes can serve as an effective bonding experiences between children and adults and should be a social routine during their day.

During the weekly sessions, food is prepared around the patients, allowing them to get involved in the process. Everyone in the group is positioned around a table so that they are able to see each person and learn from one another.

Some patients are not yet accepting food by mouth but are brought to Snack Attack so that they can experience a mealtime out of their hospital room.

Snack Attack allows patients to experience the typical kitchen environment without feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated because their caregivers and therapists are there to provide the support they need.

This story was featured in the November 2019 issue of eCurrents, La Rabida's monthly newsletter. To view the November issue of eCurrents, click here.