Preparation for barium enema: comparison of a commercial formula diet and low-residue, clear-liquid diets in inpatients.

The barium enema examination is the most frequently done initial diagnostic evaluation for disease of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Adequate preparation of the colon is essential because inadequate preparation necessitates repetition, with patient discomfort, decreased caloric intake, and increased cost. A formula diet (Ensure) has been reported as superior to the usual low-residue, clear-liquid diet for bowel preparation. We evaluated the feasibility of using this formula diet in a general medical inpatient population. We found no significant difference in the quality of preparation (72% and 76% optimal or adequate preparation, respectively) for our inpatient population. The formula diet has several theoretical advantages, including a greater number of calories, lower cost, and better patient acceptance.