ABSTRACT
Enteral nutrition is defined as a “system of providing nutrition directly into the gastrointestinal tract via a tube, catheter, or stoma that bypasses the oral cavity”. This therapy is used in individuals who are malnourished or at risk for malnutrition because they are unable to consume adequate nutrients by mouth. An early report using representative sampling and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data estimate the home enteral nutrition (HEN) population to be increasing yearly and was approximately 148,000 in 1991. Successful HEN therapy requires the expertise of multiple clinicians in order to achieve the best possible outcome. This chapter outlines the steps that are needed to achieve clinical and patient goals. Once the patient undergoes a full nutrition assessment, a plan of care will be developed taking into account the patient’s therapy goals. The patient and/or caregiver and the home environment need to be considered during the planning of HEN.
