Extended indications for enteral nutritional support.

With the availability of an organized nutrition support team (NST), the use of enteral nutrition (EN) can be extended to patients who would have otherwise received parenteral nutrition (PN). Although the formulation and accuracy of nutrient intake seems easier with PN, it is accepted that EN is cost effective and advantageous and should be used whenever possible. We discuss three cases in which the NST was initially consulted to provide PN. After evaluation by the dietitian, gastrointestinal access was obtained by the NST physician and EN could be initiated. The case studies show that an organized NST consisting of knowledgeable members can extend the use of EN to patients who would have otherwise received PN. The cost saving of such an approach and its efficacy in clinical practice are obvious.