What is the hang time for open system enteral feeding containers at home?

• A. 12 hours
• B. 6 hours
• C. 8 hours
• D. 24 hours

Answer: (A)

Hang time is the period after opening an enteral feeding container that the feed can remain in use before it should be discarded to minimize contamination. For open-system containers used at home, the recommended maximum is 12 hours. After 12 hours, the risk of microbial growth increases enough that discarding the feed helps prevent infection while still keeping care practical for home use. Shorter times like 6 or 8 hours would be more conservative than typical home guidelines, and a full 24 hours would expose the patient to greater contamination risk.