Enteral and parenteral nutrition transitioning from hospital to home

Enteral and parenteral nutrition therapies are routinely used in the acute care setting, rehabilitation facilities, and in home care for patients unable to ingest or absorb adequate nutrients orally. In many instances, a nutrition support service uses a team approach to administer and monitor this therapy in the hospital. The same nutrition support service may also arrange the transition from hospital to home for those patients who need to continue therapy long term. However, in settings where there is not a nutrition support service that coordinates the discharge, the case manager may be given this responsibility. Because of the complexity of reimbursement issues, particularly from Medicare, the monitoring needed after discharge, and the need for an experienced home care agency, the case manager will be better equipped to coordinate this discharge with knowledge about these issues. This article includes clinical and financial information as well as resources available to help the case manager to arrange a safe and smooth transition for the patient and caregivers.