What is the typical hang time for open enteral feeding systems?

• A. 24-48 hours
• B. 2-4 hours
• C. 8-12 hours
• D. 72 hours

Answer: (C)

Hang time is the amount of time a prepared, open enteral feeding system can stay in use before discard due to contamination risk. Because open systems are exposed to air and handling, the safe window is shorter than for closed systems. In practice, an 8- to 12-hour limit is commonly used for feeds that have been opened and are being used within a day. This range balances the need to minimize microbial growth with the reality of clinical workflows. After this period, the risk of contamination rises enough that discarding the feed is prudent. In contrast, closed or ready-to-hang systems carry longer hang times (often 24–48 hours) because they’re less exposed to contamination. A shorter window, like 2–4 hours, would be overly conservative for typical workflows and would increase waste, whereas a 72-hour window would be unsafe for open systems.