Trends in home enteral nutrition at a tertiary teaching hospital: 2005-2013

Does Home Oral Nutritional Support Improve Nutritional Status and Quality of Life following Colorectal Cancer Surgery?

Oral nutritional support (ONS) is a form of supportive intervention in patients' diet in response to insufficient oral intake, malabsorption, or functional insufficient food intake during the disease process. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status, morbidity, re-admissions, functional status, QoL of patients who had undergone elective colorectal cancer surgery and initiated home ONS. A total of 144 patients who had undergone colorectal cancer surgery and given home ONS were analyzed with regard to demographics, diagnosis, weight-BMI changes, re-admissions, morbidity, daily caloric and protein intake, functional status (Barthel index) and QoL (The Satisfaction with Life Scale-SWLS). The mean age was 65,6 ± 12,8 with a Female/Male ratio of 53/91. The mean BMI increased from 25.71 ± 3.81 to 28,35 ± 4,53 (p < 0.0001). Re-admission was significantly higher in patients who had received 600 kcal (55.8%) than those who received 900 kcal (40.2%) (p = 0.007). Furthermore, adaptation to chemotherapy (p = 0.02) and the Bartel index scores (p = 0.001) were significantly worse in patients who received 600 kcal compared to patients who received 900 kcal; however, the complication rate (p = 0.84), adaptation to radiotherapy (p = 0.68) and the QoL scores (p = 0.35) were not significantly different. Home ONS improved the BMI in all patients. In addition, ONS resulted in good outcomes with regard to adaptation to chemotherapy and the functional status in the treatments of patients with colorectal cancer.

Foods for Special Medical Purposes in Home Enteral Nutrition-Clinical Practice Experience. Multicenter Study

Background

Enteral nutrition (EN) with foods for special medical purposes (FSMP) is recommended for most patients on home enteral nutrition (HEN). Although there are disease-specific guidelines for energy, protein, and micronutrient provision, only a few studies are showing real-life experience in the long-term use of FSMP.

Methods

In a multicenter study, the influence of the FSMP composition and administration technique (bolus vs. continuous) on protein and energy provision in HEN was analyzed. Provision of vitamins and minerals was compared to recommended daily allowance (RDA) and upper tolerable limit (UL).

Results

Approximately, 772 patients on HEN, mostly (88.6%) with oncological and neurological diseases, were enrolled. The patients on standard FSMP received less protein and energy than those on hypercaloric and protein enriched despite receiving higher volumes of EN (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in jejunal feeding with oligomeric vs. polymeric FSMP in terms of energy, protein, and volume. Continuous gastric feeding provided more protein, energy, and volume vs. bolus feeding (p < 0.05). Significant number of patients received less than 100% RDA of vitamin D (50.5%), vitamin B3 (49%), vitamin K (21.8%), vitamin B5 (64.3%), vitamin B9 (60%). Majority of the patients received less than 100% RDA of sodium (80.2%), potassium (99%), chloride (98%), calcium (67%), magnesium (87%), fluoride (99%), and iodine (43%). Approximately, 43.63% of cancer and 49.9% of neurological patients received less than 1 g/kg/day of protein and 51.7% of cancer and 55.5% of neurological patients received less than 25 kcal/kg/day.

Conclusion

Awareness of the available compositions of FSMP and advantageous profiles of specific diets may lead to the implementation of recommendations for EN. HEN professionals need to analyze all the patient's needs and requirements to provide more tailored matching of nutritional support.

Prevalence and Trends in Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement: Results From a 10-Year, Nationwide Analysis

Background

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the most commonly used access for long-term enteral nutrition. Only a few studies report the prevalence and epidemiology of PEG placements. No previous data concentrated on the healthcare system issues influencing the qualification rates and professional nutritional support for individuals with PEG.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective nationwide analysis of PEG placements in Poland from 2010 to 2020. The central data on ICD-10 coding of adult patients with PEG reported to the insurance company were used for the analysis of general and regional prevalence, age, and primary and secondary diseases. Rates of patients with home enteral nutrition (HEN) were calculated with a special focus on patients with cancer. A secondary aim was to determine the causes of regional disparities among administrative regions.

Results

A total number of 90,182 PEGs were placed during the observation period. The number was increasing each year with statistical significance. Malnutrition, dysphagia, and cardiorespiratory/metabolic diseases were the most frequently reported primary diseases. A total of 11.98% of all patients were diagnosed with cancer; 49.9% of oncological patients suffered from head and neck cancer (HNC) and 19.9% from esophageal cancer. In total, 6.61% of HNC and 27.46% of patients with esophageal cancer from the Polish National Cancer Registry (NCR) had PEG. The rates of patients in more advanced ages (65–74 and over 85 years) were growing and decreased in younger groups (18–24, 45–54, and 55–64 years). Overall, 27.6% of all (11.86% of cancer) patients with PEG were reimbursed HEN. A high number of patients in nursing care facilities, lower education of citizens, and lower number of hospital beds were associated with more PEG insertions in the administrative regions.

Conclusion

The number of PEG placements has been increasing, particularly in the elderly. Systemic solutions must be found to address the problems of regional disparities in PEG’s prevalence as well as the lack of inclusion criteria for nutritional support.

Caring for patients on home enteral nutrition: Reported complications by home carers and perspectives of community nurses

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To explore the experiences of community nurses and home carers, in caring for patients on home enteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND

The number of patients on home enteral nutrition is on the increase due to advancement in technology and shift in focus of providing care from acute to community care settings.

METHODS

A mixed-method approach was adopted. (i) A face-to-face survey design was used to elicit experience of carers of patients on home enteral nutrition. (ii) Focus group interviews were conducted with community nurses.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine carers (n = 99) were recruited. Patient's mean age that they cared for was aged 77.7 years (SD = 11.2), and they had been on enteral feeding for a mean of 29 months (SD = 23.0). Most were bed-bound (90%) and required full assistance with their feeding (99%). Most were not on follow-up with dietitians (91%) and dentists (96%). The three most common reported gastrointestinal complications were constipation (31%), abdominal distension (28%) and vomiting (22%). Twenty community nurses (n = 20) were recruited for the focus group interviews. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: (i) challenge of accessing allied health services in the community; (ii) shorter length of stay in the acute care setting led to challenges in carers' learning and adaptation; (iii) transition gaps between hospital and home care services; and (iv) managing expectations of family.

CONCLUSION

To facilitate a better transition of care for patients, adequate training for carers, standardising clinical practice in managing patients with home enteral nutrition and improving communication between home care services and the acute care hospitals are needed.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study highlighted the challenges faced by community home care nurses and carers. Results of this study would help to inform future policies and practice changes that would improve the quality of care received by patients on home enteral nutrition.

Recent Advances in Enteral Nutrition

There have been significant advances in the provision of enteral nutrition support in the acute and community healthcare settings.[...].

Evaluation of patient quality of life and satisfaction with home enteral feeding and oral nutrition support services: a cross-sectional study

Objective The aims of the present study, in home enteral nutrition (HEN) patients, were to assess patient satisfaction with the service and quality of life (QOL) scores, and to compare QOL scores in HEN patients with general Australian population values. Methods Self-administered voluntary questionnaires for the present cross-sectional study were mailed out to 322 eligible participants registered with HEN for >5 months. The questionnaires used included a patient satisfaction survey and a validated QOL questionnaire. Data analysis consisted of cross-tabulation, Chi-squared tests and t-tests. Results There were 112 participants. Patients reported satisfaction with information received before discharge (86%), support received after discharge (74%), expertise of the health professional (87%), access to health professionals experienced with HEN (74%), communication between health professionals (74%), costs of HEN supplies (52%) and delivery of HEN supplies (88%). QOL scores related to physical, psychological, social and environment domains were significantly lower in HEN patients than in the Australian reference population (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in QOL and health satisfaction across different clinical areas (0.737 and 0.316, respectively). Conclusion Overall, participants were satisfied with HEN services. Participants had lower QOL scores compared with the Australian general population. Improvements to the HEN service were suggested, including sooner follow-up after hospital discharge; more frequent reviews for long-term patients; and the availability of a multidisciplinary team to manage HEN patients. What is known about the topic? Malnutrition is a common problem in Australian hospitals. Many patients require nutrition support to maintain or improve their nutrition status because of inadequate oral intake, malabsorption of nutrients or because of a disease process. Nutrition support is commonly started in the in-patient setting and, because of faster patient discharge from hospital, HEN is a cost-effective and reliable way of treating patients who continue to need nutrition support after hospital discharge. Inconsistencies exist in service provision of HEN because there is no national or state-wide standardisation of services. Australian studies that have evaluated patient satisfaction with HEN services are lacking. This is of particular importance because HEN service use is increasing. What does this paper add? This study reveals that patients receiving HEN therapy are mostly satisfied with the service provided. Patients surveyed have expressed important aspects of the HEN service include follow-up and advice from health care professionals, low price and home delivery of supplies, emphasising the importance of adequate clinical services, supply and delivery of HEN. QOL is poorer in the HEN patient population compared with the general Australian population. What are the implications for practitioners? Standardisation of HEN services is important to ensure uniformity in service provision to HEN patients. Health services adhering to best practice guidelines for HEN will result in the provision of adequate quality of care, and subsequently improved patient satisfaction and adherence to HEN therapy. Adequate service provision and appropriate monitoring and review of HEN patients in the community may also contribute to better health outcomes and better QOL for patients.