Guidelines for planning home enteral feedings.

Tube feeding at home is a viable option for maintaining optimum nutriture when oral intake is inadequate or impossible. Qualifying patients and their caretakers can be instructed in formula preparation, feeding administration, and related care techniques. Extra hospital support systems, including insurance agencies, home medical suppliers, and public health nurses, are available to facilitate the transition from hospital to home care. For patients who require enteral nutrition but not acute or extended medical care, home tube feeding can promote a less disrupted family unit, improved quality of life, and diminished health care costs.