Disease-Related Malnutrition and Enteral Nutrition Therapy: A Significant Problem With a Cost-Effective Solution

The National Alliance for Infusion Therapy (NAIT) and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Public Policy Committee and Board of Directors have developed the following white paper to provide legislators, regulators, and other stakeholders with a basic understanding of disease-related malnutrition and its impact on outcomes, as well as an overview of enteral nutrition therapy and its particular impact on outcomes and cost. This work is not a comprehensive review of the literature but rather a basic overview of this important area. Disease-related malnutrition is prevalent in U.S. hospitals, in long-term care facilities, and in patients with chronic medical conditions living at home. Consequences of this malnutrition include increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Enteral nutrition (EN) therapy is feeding provided through the gastrointestinal tract via a tube, catheter, or stoma that delivers nutrients distal to the oral cavity. EN is a generally safe and cost-effective therapy for patients who are malnourished or who are at risk for malnutrition. This white paper describes (1) disease-related malnutrition; (2) the consequences of malnutrition; (3) the patient population using EN; (4) improved outcomes resulting from EN; and (5) cost- savings attributable to EN.