title: Cost and cost-benefit of enteral nutrition.
abstract: Enteral nutrition is a therapy provided routinely in the hospital, extended care, and home care settings for patients who are unable to maintain adequate oral nutrition yet have a functioning gastrointestinal tract. Information about the cost and effectiveness or benefits of enteral nutrition in the hospital and home care settings is important to know when making decisions about providing this therapy. This article discusses the methods used in cost analysis, explains the difference between cost and charges, and reviews the current information known about the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefits of enteral nutrition in the acute-care setting and at home.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Services, St. Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia 30342-1726, USA.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Goff
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003657:Decision Making; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000191:economics*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics; D017722:Hospital Charges; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States