Evaluation of home enteral nutrition services at public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.

AIM: There is currently limited information regarding the home enteral nutrition population and its service practice at the state and national levels. The aim of this study is to report on patient numbers and demographics of the home enteral nutrition population in New South Wales, and to evaluate the implementation of home enteral nutrition services in public hospitals in the state. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using two online questionnaires, which were completed by the dietitian overseeing home enteral nutrition at each participating hospital. RESULTS: The home enteral nutrition population of participating hospitals was approximately 7600, with 81% oral nutrition support patients and 19% tube-fed patients. Mean compliance score to the home enteral nutrition implementation checklist was 54.1% (±20.7%), with a range of 14.3% to 98.2%. Hospitals with a home enteral nutrition dietitian/coordinator scored a higher rate of compliance with the implementation checklist compared with hospitals without one (79.6% (±15.6%) vs 47.6% (±2.4%); P < 0.001). The key service improvements suggested by dietitians included increased funding towards a home enteral nutrition dietitian/coordinator (67.8%); improved resources to provide outpatient reviews, home visits and multidisciplinary service model (54.2%); improved database management and a more efficient registration process (52.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Home enteral nutrition services continue to be inconsistent across New South Wales. Funding and resource limitations were identified as the major barriers to addressing gaps in service provision.

Higher Caloric Refeeding Is Safe in Hospitalised Adolescent Patients with Restrictive Eating Disorders.

Introduction. This study examines weight gain and assesses complications associated with refeeding hospitalised adolescents with restrictive eating disorders (EDs) prescribed initial calories above current recommendations. Methods. Patients admitted to an adolescent ED structured "rapid refeeding" program for >48 hours and receiving ≥2400 kcal/day were included in a 3-year retrospective chart review. Results. The mean (SD) age of the 162 adolescents was 16.7 years (0.9), admission % median BMI was 80.1% (10.2), and discharge % median BMI was 93.1% (7.0). The mean (SD) starting caloric intake was 2611.7 kcal/day (261.5) equating to 58.4 kcal/kg (10.2). Most patients (92.6%) were treated with nasogastric tube feeding. The mean (SD) length of stay was 3.6 weeks (1.9), and average weekly weight gain was 2.1 kg (0.8). No patients developed cardiac signs of RFS or delirium; complications included 4% peripheral oedema, 1% hypophosphatemia (<0.75 mmol/L), 7% hypomagnesaemia (<0.70 mmol/L), and 2% hypokalaemia (<3.2 mmol/L). Caloric prescription on admission was associated with developing oedema (95% CI 1.001 to 1.047; p = 0.039). No statistical significance was found between electrolytes and calories provided during refeeding. Conclusion. A rapid refeeding protocol with the inclusion of phosphate supplementation can safely achieve rapid weight restoration without increased complications associated with refeeding syndrome.