[Prolonged home enteral feeding]

Home enteral nutrition (HEN) is a method that will develop as an alternative to hospitalization. It is indicated mainly in patients who would normally be kept in neurology, ENT, gastroenterology, oncology, paediatrics or geriatrics hospital departments. The technicalities of HEN, such as route, periodicity and modalities of administration and choice of the diet, must be adjusted to the patient's condition and to the foreseeable duration of the procedure. HEN is best organized by a team of hospital specialists who will educate the patient prior to his discharge and follow him up at home in cooperation with the family doctor and district nurse. The extent of financial assistance provided by health insurance organizations is currently under evaluation.