According to the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, nutrition support or nutrition support therapy is, “Providing parenteral (PN) and/or enteral nutrition (EN) to address or prevent malnutrition.” The term enteral refers to nutrition administered via the gastrointestinal tract. It may be administered orally or via tube feeding. Further, an EN system is defined as, “A system of providing nutrition directly into the gastrointestinal tract via a tube, catheter, or stoma that bypasses the oral cavity,” and a PN is defined as, “The intravenous administration of nutrients.”¹

Key Facts to Consider:

Nutrition support therapy is different from medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in that MNT also includes nutrition diagnosis and counseling services for the purpose of disease management.² Specialized nutrition support therapy products can be an important component of a patient’s comprehensive healthcare plan.  Unfortunately, many people may have limited or no access to these therapies. Issues limiting access include: lack of insurance coverage, lack of finances to purchase out of pocket, and lack of provider education.