Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan KK(1), Ho WS(1), Shum WY (1), Wong LS (1), Wong PH (1)
Affiliation :
(1) Stoma and Wound Care Team, Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital
Keyword 2: :
Home parenteral nutrition
Introduction :
Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is life-sustaining therapy for patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorder where nutrients absorption is severely compromised, particularly in palliative cancer care, for delivering essential nutrients. Empowerment-focused education for patients and caregivers is critical for clinical safety, reducing complications and facilitating the transition to home care. A structured program with clinical supervision is essential to monitor nutrient intake and minimize potential risks associated with HPN therapy. This study evaluates a structured program designed to address the evolving local HPN landscape.
Objectives :
1.To enhance quality of life (QoL) by transitioning patients from hospital dependency to normal life at home 2.To increase independence by empowering patients and caregivers to manage nutritional therapy safely and effectively
3.To improve clinical outcomes by enhancing safe nutrition therapy and preventing complications
4.To reduce healthcare burden by decreasing hospitalization and enabling HPN sustainability
Methodology :
This was a retrospective descriptive study summarizing the clinical characteristics of the cohort from 2020 to 2025. Subjects included patients with impaired GI conditions requiring HPN support as referred by colorectal and upper gastrointestinal surgeons. The program consisted of initial counselling, hands-on training, home visit featuring practical simulations and environment modifications, competency assessment and feedback. The program adopted a multidisciplinary approach to provide integrated care and education for HPN management. Outcome measures included training duration, successful discharge rate and complication rate.
Result & Outcome :
Results: The study analyzed 17 patients (mean age of 50.9 ± 13.3 years; range: 20-75). Patients with primary diagnosis of malignant GI obstruction accounted for 64.7% of the cohort, while others were related to impaired GI condition. The average training time for the HPN training program was 30.4 ± 15.8 hours (range: 10-72hours). The successful discharge rate was 94.1%; one patient failed to transition home due to in-hospital mortality. The total complication rate was 5.88% (1 event of line occlusion). Conclusions:
The structured empowerment program for HPN education substantially improved clinical safety and caregiver competence. It allows individuals to resume daily activities without the constraints of extended hospital stays. This initiative provides valuable service insights into empowering patients to manage their nutritional needs within a desirable home environment and contributed positively to their emotional well-being.
