AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 17, 2016 — Patients are more likely to receive the appropriate type of home nutrition therapy when their care includes management by registered dietitians, suggests a study being presented at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Clinical Nutrition Week meeting today in Austin.

Nutrition therapy patients receiving home parenteral (intravenous) nutrition (HPN) were transitioned to home enteral (through a feeding tube) nutrition (HEN) or to an oral diet sooner due to the registered dietitians’ expertise and adherence to A.S.P.E.N. guidelines, researchers found. Patients with a variety of health conditions require nutrition support: the guidelines generally recommend HPN for patients whose gastrointestinal (G.I.) systems aren’t functioning, and HEN for those whose G.I. systems are functioning, but who may have other problems that interfere with eating, such as the inability to swallow. HEN is preferable whenever possible because it is more similar to how the body naturally receives nutrition.

Las pautas indican que los pacientes a quienes se ha recetado nutrición parenteral en el hogar deben hacer la transición a nutrición enteral en el hogar o a una dieta oral tan pronto funcione el sistema gastrointestinal. La nutrición parenteral en el hogar no solo cuesta más, sino que además tiene un riesgo de infección considerablemente mayor en comparación con la enteral. La prescripción de la nutrición puede estar a cargo de un médico o un nutricionista certificado, o ser resultado de la colaboración de ambos. Los investigadores concluyeron que, a medida que el porcentaje de pacientes atendidos por nutricionistas certificados aumentaba durante el estudio de cinco años, el número promedio de días en que los pacientes recibieron nutrición parenteral en el hogar disminuía, lo que sugiere que los pacientes hicieron la transición a nutrición enteral en el hogar antes, como lo recomiendan las pautas.

“Clearly, home nutrition patients benefit from care provided by a dietitian-led nutrition support team,” said Kelly Kinnare, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC, nutrition services manager for Option Care. “Physicians are busy and recognize the expertise dietitians provide and therefore increasingly are putting the nutrition order writing and weaning recommendations in our hands. “

El estudio abarcó 505 pacientes que iniciaron la terapia de nutrición parenteral en el hogar entre el 1.º de enero de 2010 y el 31 de diciembre de 2014. Durante este período, el porcentaje de pacientes cuya atención estuvo a cargo de un nutricionista certificado aumentó un 18 por ciento (de 75 por ciento a 91 por ciento) y el número promedio de días en que un paciente recibió nutrición parenteral en el hogar disminuyó un 33 por ciento (de 128,7 días a 86,5 días).

“HPN is more invasive, presents with serious complications, and is significantly more expensive than HEN therefore should only be utilized when appropriate,” said Noreen Luszcz, RD, MBA, CNSC, nutrition program director for Option Care. “While HEN costs about $500 a month per patient, HPN is 10 times as expensive, costing about $5,000 a month. “

En este estudio, la duración promedio de la terapia de nutrición parenteral en el hogar disminuyó unos 42 días por paciente con un mayor manejo a cargo de nutricionistas. Cada paciente en 42 días menos de terapia de nutrición parenteral en el hogar equivale a un ahorro de 7000 USD en asistencia médica, sin incluir el ahorro debido a la eliminación de las posibles infecciones de líneas y otras complicaciones asociadas a la nutrición parenteral en el hogar.

El programa de apoyo nutricional de Option Care practica un enfoque de equipo multidisciplinario para la atención que incluye enfermeros, farmacéuticos y nutricionistas certificados en apoyo nutricional, quienes trabajan en estrecha colaboración con los médicos para brindar atención de alta calidad a los pacientes de nutrición parenteral y enteral en el hogar. El programa incluye un nutricionista certificado en cada una de sus 92 farmacias de infusión.

A los pacientes se les receta nutrición parenteral porque no pueden satisfacer sus necesidades nutricionales oralmente debido a afecciones tales como cáncer, accidente cerebrovascular, trastornos gastrointestinales o complicaciones quirúrgicas. Ambas terapias se pueden administrar temporariamente en el hospital; sin embargo, unos 40 000 pacientes de nutrición parenteral en el hogar y 344 000 pacientes de nutrición enteral en el hogar por año reciben terapia de nutrición de forma segura y con menos costos en su hogar, lo que evita el riesgo de exposición a infecciones intrahospitalarias y permite volver al trabajo y a una vida activa. Aunque algunas personas reciben estas terapias por un período corto, muchos deben hacerlo a largo plazo y algunos durante toda la vida.

Acerca de Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc. ofrece atención clínica a cargo de enfermeros de infusión especialmente capacitados, farmacéuticos y nutricionistas para tratar pacientes con una amplia gama de afecciones agudas, crónicas y raras. Como uno de los proveedores más grandes del país de servicios de infusión en el hogar y en centros alternativos de tratamiento, Option Care cuenta con 92 farmacias de infusión y 110 centros alternativos de tratamiento en todo el país. Obtenga más información en www.OptionCare.com.

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Datos de contacto para los medios

Option Care
Lauren Kotarski
312-558-1770
LKotarski@pcipr.com

AUSTIN, Texas — Option Care’s local dietitian-led Nutrition Support Team improves the care of patients receiving nutrition therapy at home and saves millions in costs by preventing hospitalization, according to a study being presented at the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Clinical Nutrition Week meeting today in Austin.

El estudio hizo un seguimiento de las veces que los profesionales clínicos de Option Care identificaron proactivamente uno de los cuatro tipos de complicaciones de la terapia para pacientes que reciben nutrición parenteral (intravenosa) en el hogar y nutrición enteral (mediante una sonda de alimentación) en el hogar. En cada caso, el equipo trabajó con el médico del paciente para corregir el problema.

“Our findings demonstrate that Option Care‘s unique tools and processes help our clinicians detect complications early and intervene before they become bigger problems and lead to hospitalization,” Noreen Luszcz, RD, MBA, CNSC, Nutrition Program Director for Option Care. “Even though we analyzed only a few of the typical clinical interventions performed over a six-month period, we found significant benefits to our high-touch clinical support.”

El estudio incluye información sobre 124 pacientes de nutrición parenteral y 126 pacientes de nutrición enteral recopilada por 63 nutricionistas de Option Care entre el 1.º de febrero y el 31 de julio de 2015. Utilizando el sistema de monitoreo minucioso de Option Care para identificar problemas y reaccionar proactivamente, los equipos realizaron 390 intervenciones clínicas. Durante ese período, la mitad de los pacientes de nutrición parenteral fueron hospitalizados por lo menos una vez (el 20 % con relación a la nutrición, 12 pacientes) y el 33 % de los pacientes de nutrición enteral fueron hospitalizados al menos una vez (el 9 % con relación a la nutrición, 4 pacientes). Sin embargo, los investigadores observan que el número de hospitalizaciones relacionadas con la nutrición habría sido considerablemente mayor sin el monitoreo minucioso por parte del equipo multidisciplinario y una respuesta proactiva. Los investigadores estiman que las intervenciones lograron evitar 957 días de hospitalización y, por lo tanto, un ahorro de 1,9 millones de USD.

El estudio hizo un seguimiento del momento en que los profesionales clínicos intervinieron para:

• Manejar el desequilibrio electrolítico (niveles de sustancias químicas que ayudan a la función muscular y de otras partes vitales del cuerpo)
• Manejar la hipoglucemia (bajo nivel de azúcar en sangre, que puede causar diversos síntomas, como debilidad y confusión)
• Prevenir la deshidratación (que puede causar convulsiones, alteración del estado mental y deficiencia renal)
• Reducir o eliminar la diarrea (que puede llevar a la deshidratación)

“Many of these patients have complicated conditions and the nutrition therapies they receive are increasingly complex,” said Luszcz. “We’ve worked tirelessly to develop effective ways of closely monitoring them to ensure complications are identified early and remedied quickly.”

Option Care’s Nutrition Support Program follows a multidisciplinary team approach to care including infusion nurses, pharmacists, and dietitians certified in nutrition support who work closely with physicians to provide quality care to HPN and HEN patients. The program includes a registered dietitian at every one of its 92 infusion pharmacies.

Patients are prescribed HPN or HEN because they cannot meet their nutrition needs orally due to conditions such as cancer, stroke, gastrointestinal disease, or surgical complications. Both therapies can be temporarily administered in the hospital, however, about 40,000 HPN patients and 344,000 HEN patients annually receive their nutrition therapy safely and with less cost at home avoiding the risk of exposure to hospital-acquired infections, returning to work, and living active lives. Although some people receive these therapies short-term many are on for a longer period and some lifelong.

Acerca de Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc., offers clinical care provided by specially trained infusion nurses, pharmacists, and dietitians who treat patients with a wide range of acute, chronic, and rare conditions. As one of the nation’s largest providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, Option Care has 92 infusion pharmacies and 110 alternate treatment sites across the country. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

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Datos de contacto para los medios

Option Care
Lauren Kotarski
312-558-1770
LKotarski@pcipr.com

Option Care ha sido seleccionado como proveedor de un producto pionero que mejora la digestión para pacientes con afecciones complejas que requieren apoyo nutricional

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Option Care Enterprises, Inc., a leading national provider of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, has been selected as the contracted provider of RELiZORB™ (immobilized lipase), which helps patients with complex medical conditions digest and absorb the “essential fats “ they receive through enteral nutrition (tube feeding). Relizorb is manufactured by Alcresta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

What is RELiZORB™

Recently approved as a de novo device by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Relizorb is a first-of-its-kind digestive enzyme cartridge designed to mimic the normal pancreatic function by breaking down fats in enteral tube feeding formula. By breaking down these fats prior to ingestion, Relizorb allows for the delivery of increased absorbable calories from fatty acids and monoglycerides to adults who are partially or completely unable to breakdown and absorb fats. Relizorb has been shown to break down 90 percent of fats in most enteral feeding tube formulas, including the most difficult to breakdown long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are critical for growth and development.

“We’re so pleased to be chosen to provide such an innovative product, which we believe can improve the quality of life for patients in need of nutrition therapy, “ said Kimberly Petruccelli, PharmD, MBA, clinical program manager of specialty infusion programs for Option Care. “Our registered dietitians have extensive experience and expertise caring for patients in need of complex therapies, including enteral nutrition, and can ensure they receive the highest level of care. “

Option Care & RELiZORB™

Option Care ha sido seleccionado para proveer y apoyar la administración de Relizorb gracias a su capacidad de brindar un tratamiento personalizado a través de su programa de apoyo nutricional, que aborda la atención del paciente mediante un equipo multidisciplinario y cuenta con un nutricionista certificado en cada una de sus sucursales. Como uno de los proveedores más grandes del país de servicios de infusión en el hogar y en centros alternativos de tratamiento, Option Care tiene la capacidad para brindar atención nutricional segura y eficaz a pacientes en todo el país a través de sus 92 farmacias de infusión.

“Option Care will play a key role in bringing Relizorb to patients through its dietitian-led patient care teams, “ said John Tucker, chief executive officer of Alcresta. “The company is an ideal partner because of its proven track record of providing high-quality care and its national presence with patients, payers and providers. “

“Option Care is honored to have been selected by Alcresta as the Relizorb provider of choice, and we’re committed to making this product an accessible option for patients, providers and payers, “ said Matthew Deans, vice president of business development for Option Care. “We believe that in developing customized clinical management programs in partnership with biopharmaceutical manufacturers, we can increase patient access to novel therapies. It’s our priority that patients receive the full therapeutic benefit of the treatment, which can lead to increased satisfaction, improved outcomes and lower total cost of care. “

Acerca de Option Care

Option Care Enterprises, Inc., offers clinical care provided by specially trained infusion nurses, pharmacists and dietitians who treat patients with a wide range of acute, chronic and rare conditions. As one of the nation’s largest providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, Option Care has 92 infusion pharmacies and 110 alternate treatment sites across the country. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

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Datos de contacto para los medios

Option Care
Lauren Kotarski
312-558-1770
LKotarski@pcipr.com

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Sixty-three percent of patients with short bowel syndrome who took teduglutide (TED) to enhance gastrointestinal absorption were able to reduce their parenteral support (PS), according to a study[*]Petruccelli K, Youssef N, Li B, Curry K. Teduglutide treatment in adult patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS): initial clinical experience of management through a specialized infusion pharmacy (SIP) service. Poster session presented at: the American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) 80th Annual Scientific Meeting; 2015 Oct 16-21; Honolulu, HI. presented by Option Care Enterprise, Inc. this weekend at the 2015 American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Scientific Meeting in Honolulu.

Option Care, one of the nation’s largest infusion services companies, presented “Teduglutide Treatment in Adult Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS): Initial Clinical Experience of Management through a Specialized Infusion Pharmacy (SIP) Service.” The poster highlights results of data analysis of the clinical management of teduglutide therapy provided by a specialized infusion pharmacy in the home-care setting.

In the study of 52 patients with short bowel syndrome who received TED, 63 percent attained a 20 percent to 100 percent reduction in PS volume at weeks 20 and 24. TED treatment resulted in additional days off of PS per week for many patients, with 23 (44 percent) gaining one day or more per week off, 20 (38.5 percent) gaining two days or more off and 15 (28.8 percent) gaining three or more days off PS. Nine patients (17.3 percent) gained complete PS independence.[*]Petruccelli K, Youssef N, Li B, Curry K. Teduglutide treatment in adult patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS): initial clinical experience of management through a specialized infusion pharmacy (SIP) service. Poster session presented at: the American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) 80th Annual Scientific Meeting; 2015 Oct 16-21; Honolulu, HI.  

“These observations confirm the ability of TED to reduce PS dependence in patients with short bowel syndrome treated in a non-trial setting with close monitoring by a multidisciplinary team,” said Kendra Curry, PharmD, Corporate Director, Specialty Infusion Programs with Option Care.

About the American College of Gastroenterology

Founded in 1932, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) is an organization with an international membership of more than 12,500 individuals from 86 countries. The College’s vision is to be the pre-eminent professional organization that champions the evolving needs of clinicians in the delivery of high quality, evidence-based, and compassionate health care to gastroenterology patients. The mission of the College is to advance world-class care for patients with gastrointestinal disorders through excellence, innovation and advocacy in the areas of scientific investigation, education, prevention and treatment. www.gi.org

Acerca de Option Care

Option Care, formerly Walgreens Infusion Services Inc., offers clinical care provided by specially trained infusion nurses, pharmacists and dietitians who treat patients with a wide range of acute, chronic and rare conditions. As one of the nation’s largest providers of home and alternate treatment site infusion services, Option Care has 92 infusion pharmacies and 110 alternate treatment sites across the country. Learn more at www.OptionCare.com.

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Datos de contacto para los medios

Option Care
Lauren Kotarski
312-558-1770
LKotarski@pcipr.com