Enteral Nutrition
For patients who are not able to receive nutrients by mouth but do have functioning digestive tracts, Advanced Home Care offers enteral nutrition. This alternative method of nutrition support involves providing nutrition through a feeding tube that is placed into the stomach or intestine. People who may need enteral nutrition therapy can include stroke patients who have trouble swallowing, patients with neuromuscular diseases such as Lou Gehrig’s disease or patients with head or neck cancer.
There are three methods by which patients can receive enteral nutrition – through a feeding pump, a one-time bolus injection or a feeding bag that uses gravity to deliver the formula. We have a wide range of formulas available to meet patients’ individual needs, including special formulas for patients with diabetes, pulmonary disease or metabolic syndromes. In addition, we work with patients to find the most cost-effective formula available to meet their nutritional needs.
Our nutrition team works with enteral nutrition patients from the moment the tube is inserted until it is removed. In the initial stages, our skilled nurses teach patients how to connect their bags, inject any necessary medications into the formula, clean the site and tubing and recognize signs and symptoms of infection. In addition, our registered dietitans perform nutritional risk assessments on patients to ensure they are remaining compliant with the treatment and are not suffering any adverse reactions to the formula.
Finally, an account representative will contact the patient each month to check on their formula and equipment needs and then ship a new supply of formula and tubing.
