Cost and benefit of hospital, hospital- in- the- home and ambulatory care nutrition support services.

The instigation of nutrition support, either via the enteral or parenteral route, in individuals unable to maintain adequate nutrition via oral means is based on the premise that such an intervention will reduce both morbidity and mortality and improve quality of life. While there is evidence that active nutrition support improves biochemical and physiological parameters, health professionals are being called upon to demonstrate the cost, benefits and outcomes of nutrition support in the face of budget constraints and increasing demands on health care. Cost savings have been made in hospital nutrition support through increased use of enteral rather than parenteral nutrition support, particularly in Intensive Care Units, and careful use of resources when planning enteral nutrition support. Nutrition support of critically ill and malnourished individuals can reduce morbidity and length of stay. Benefits of home nutrition support programs include avoidance of hospital bed costs and improved lifestyle and psychological well-being. Our experience and that of the literature will be reviewed.