Safe enteral tube feedings and hydration in home care
by Linda M. Lord, NP, MS, CNSN

When patients are unable to maintain adequate nutrient and hydration status by oral diet alone, nutrition support may be initiated as either a supportive or a life-saving measure. Enteral tube feeding is frequently touted as being safer, more physiologic, and more cost effective than parenteral nutrition, but it has potential complications that can negate these advantages. To safely discharge a patient receiving enteral tube feedings, a series of steps should be taken: verifying appropriateness of therapy, identifying overall nutrition goals, educating the patient, arranging continuing followup. For optimal functioning, patients should be familiar with the enteral access device. Ideally, significant others are included in this process, learning techniques of tube feeding, how to avoid or respond to complications, and how to incorporate the feeding into the household’s schedule.

Life with home enteral nutrition: a view from the inside
by Cheryl W. Thompson PhD, RD, CNSD, and Luke Vohsing

When caring for home enteral nutrition (HEN) consumers, clinicians primarily focus on minimizing adverse medical and nutrition-related outcomes. In contrast, HEN consumers’ foremost concerns usually involve psychosocial challenges, which affect their quality of life. Although each person’s experience is unique, consumers encounter many similar HEN-related challenges. Consumers who perceived themselves as coping successfully with HEN have offered insights into how they are able to adapt, cope, and ultimately thrive with this therapy.

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