Nutrition Support Team

Overview

Nutrition Support is the provision of Enteral Nutrition (EN) and/or Parenteral Nutrition (PN) to patients who are unable to meet nutrition goals with an oral diet.

EN is provided to patients with a functional GI tract as either a supplement to inadequate oral intake or as the sole source of nutrition in patients who are unable to take an oral diet. EN is administered via gastric feeding tube or small bowel feeding tube. PN is provided to patients with a non-functional and/or non-accessible GI tract via a peripheral or central venous access device.

Our Team

The Nutrition Support Team is a multidisciplinary team consisting of Dietitians, Nurse Clinicians, a Clinical Pharmacist, and a Gastroenterology Physician who specialize in EN and PN.

The Team works collaboratively to provide individualized care to meet the needs of patients and achieve nutrition goals.  After review of the patient’s medical record, we will conduct a comprehensive nutrition assessment, review imaging reports for verification of enteral and/or parenteral access, and provide recommendations for EN and/or PN. Reassessments will be completed on a regular basis to monitor patient’s tolerance and progress. EN orders and PN prescriptions will be modified as needed.

Continuity of Care

Patients to be discharged home with EN and/or PN will be provided education by members of the Nutrition Support Team.

Adult patients who are discharged home with PN provided by Mountain View Pharmacy and followed by a LLUH affiliated physician will continue to be monitored by the Nutrition Support Team. The patient’s PN prescription will be evaluated on a regular basis and modified based on changes in medical/surgical status, labs, and fluid status.

Pediatric patients who are discharged home with PN and followed by the Loma Linda Kids Intestinal Care Services will be monitored by the Pediatric Nurse Clinicians. The patient’s PN prescription will be modified based on patient’s medical/surgical status, labs, fluid status, and age specific parameters.