Nutrition support appears to ease the effects of semi-starvation and may change disease course or response to therapy in selected patients – including those suffering from short bowel syndrome, severe oropharyngeal dysfunction and permanent neurological impairment.
Healthcare professionals should make sure those receiving nutritional support are informed of their diagnosis and treatment, with appropriate monitoring protocols set up for clinical, anthropometric and laboratory analyses.
Dietitians
Dietitians are certified nutritionists who specialize in various fields. They may counsel people about specific dietary modifications or create meal plans for those suffering from specific health conditions or eating disorders. Nutritionists must first earn their bachelor’s degree in dietetics or a related field and complete a series of professional credentials before becoming licensed to practice as dietitians, which are recognized by letters “RD” or “RD-LD” following their name.
Dietetics professionals are integral members of the HNC MDT, and can offer insight into both short and long-term nutritional impacts of planned treatments alongside multidisciplinary colleagues. Their experts are well versed in providing and optimizing oral, enteral, or parenteral nutritional support as necessary.
Nutritionists can provide nutrient-rich meals or prescribe high-calorie liquids and tube feedings. Nutritional support should be gradually introduced into people who haven’t eaten in more than 48 hours; according to metabolism and gastrointestinal tolerance.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists with extensive medical knowledge play an essential role in helping their clients maximize their medications and lead healthier lifestyles. They do this by dispensing them correctly, verifying prescriptions, advising diet and exercise plans and offering guidance when needed.
Nutrition support pharmacists collaborate with physicians, nurses, and dietitians to design tailored nutrition plans for their patients that take into account medical conditions and dietary preferences in order to provide them with all of the nourishment needed for health and vitality.
Nutrition support pharmacists certified by ASHP/ASPEN play an integral part in developing and managing nutritional care plans, dispensing and counseling ONS to patients for home treatment with PN [48-52], dispensing and counselling ONS for long-term treatment at home with PN [48-52], dispensing and counselling ONS to community dwelling malnourished patients using ONS [48-52], etc. To improve follow up of ONS-using patients they must also identify methodologies and skills which improve follow up of ONS-using community dwelling malnourished patients [48-52]. However, studies exploring new forms of interaction between nutrition support pharmacists and dietitians should identify methodologies and skills necessary for improving follow up of ONS patients using ONS in this respect [48-52].
Nurses
Nurses must understand the nutritional requirements of their patients. They can recommend diets that cater specifically to specific medical conditions or health goals, such as increasing protein intake to promote wound healing. Nurses also play an essential role in providing education on healthy dietary choices and meal planning strategies.
Proper nutrition can speed recovery, help manage symptoms more effectively, boost immunity, and enhance vital functions such as cell regeneration and energy production – so it is crucial for healthcare providers to incorporate nutritional support into their care plans.
Nutrition Support Professionals (NSPs) include dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, physicians or advanced practice providers who specialize in enteral and parenteral feeding in various patient populations. NSPs may work independently or as members of a nutrition support team; many belong to an organization such as ASPEN that offers educational opportunities as well as networking possibilities for members. They employ established standards and guidelines when providing nutrition support therapy.
Physicians
Physicians can provide nutritional support based on their medical expertise and experience managing patients with complex care needs. Physicians frequently have an involvement in designing nutrition therapy plans and contributing to better patient outcomes by funding scientifically rigorous research projects.
Physician-led nutrition support services are frequently organized as freestanding departments within hospitals. Their teams may include physicians, dietitians and pharmacists whose professional responsibilities typically include formulating parenteral nutrition formulations and assuring quality by educating healthcare staff, patients and caregivers alike.
If someone requires tube feeding or parenteral nutrition, it is crucial that they are closely monitored by healthcare professionals with the necessary expertise and skills. Studies have revealed that those not under nutrition support teams face increased complications and unnecessary therapy, driving up costs (Kahan & Manson 2017). Furthermore, doctors should make time in their appointments for nutritional advice while patients should know when and where they can find specialist support.
