Development of Quality Indicators for Geriatric Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) Services

The evidence on the safety, efficacy and patient centeredness of Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) services is scarce. In 2015, we carried out a search of the literature to identify specific indicators for HEN services as tools to be used to assess the quality of INRCA HEN services. No specific indicators for HEN services were found. Through a subsequent search of the literature, we have identified the appropriate methodology to define quality indicators and developed eight (8) specific indicators to track the quality of our HEN service for geriatric patients. Following Donabiedan’s classification, we have defined two structure indicators, two process indicators and four outcome indicators that are presented in this manuscript. Though they may be used to make a comparison of HEN services for geriatric patients and to monitor the quality of therapy provided at patients’ homes, the definition of quality system indicators for HEN services requires the additional joint efforts of experts in the field of nutrition and the scientific community for their validation.