title: An evaluation of current home enteral nutrition services at principal referral hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study investigates the home enteral nutrition (HEN) services of public principal referral hospitals in NSW, Australia, comparing their services to best practice guidelines for HEN.
  
  
  METHODS
  HEN service processes were investigated using an online questionnaire and telephone interview with the dietitian primarily working with HEN at each hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participating hospitals reported a total of approximately 3200 HEN patients, 76% required oral nutrition support. Only 69% of hospitals had a dietitian allocated to their HEN service and no hospitals had established multidisciplinary teams to manage HEN patients. Post-discharge follow-up, as recommended for tube fed and oral patients, was achieved by 8% and 15% of hospitals respectively. Forty-six per cent of dietitians were satisfied and 46% of dietitians were dissatisfied with current HEN services provided, and reported the following improvements were required: increased clinical resources allocated to HEN dietitian/coordinator; increased outpatient services (home visits, outpatient clinic, multidisciplinary clinic); and an efficient registration process and database.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HEN services among participating hospitals are inconsistent, demonstrating gaps in service provision. Baseline assessment scores varied, with an average of 61% of recommendations currently in use. Best practice guidelines are not firmly adhered to due to limited funding and allocated resources for HEN.
authors.affiliation: The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Email.
authors.forename: Sahrish Sonia
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Faruquie
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Westmead Hospital, PO Box 533, Wentworthville, NSW 2145, Australia. Email.
authors.forename: Elizabeth Kumiko
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Westmead Hospital, PO Box 533, Wentworthville, NSW 2145, Australia. Email.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Talbot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009517:New South Wales; D036301:Qualitative Research; D063728:Secondary Care Centers; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult