Impact of the Home Enteral Nutrition regulation issue in public hospitals in Distrito Federal, Brazil

SummaryBackground & aimsIn 2004, the Home Enteral Nutrition Regulation of Public Health Department of Distrito Federal, Brazil, was published. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of home enteral nutrition in Distrito Federal, Brazil, assess the impact of a regional home enteral nutrition regulation and analyze the epidemiological and nutritional data of 401 patients treated in a year period.MethodsIn January 2006 all home enteral nutrition cases from 2005 were registered to analyze the following variables: age, gender, pathology, home enteral nutrition prevalence and incidence, enteral access devices, nutritional status and comparative costs between hospital and home enteral nutrition.ResultsThe main pathologies that led to home enteral nutrition were: congenital cardiopathy (1.25%), neurological (34.25%), gastrointestinal (26.5%), oncological (13.75%), epidermolysis bullosa congenita (3.5%) and others (20.75%). 45.9% of the patients were children, 19.2% adults and 34.9% elders. Mean incidence and prevalence were 147.98 and 175.64. Prior to the therapy, there was higher frequency of malnutrition at all age groups.ConclusionA positive correlation was found between the Regulation issue and home enteral nutrition prevalence. Professionals should be aware and give special attention to nutritional treatment. The need of homogeneous guidelines for this therapy is notorious.