Home Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition During Natural Disasters: A Guide for Clinicians and Consumers

Abstract

Natural disasters are most often weather related but can also be unrelated to weather. Either way, these disrupt "normal" life for a short or extended period of time. When someone depends on electricity, clean water, and transportation services for life-sustaining therapies such as home nutrition support, it is important to have a plan in place-even if it is never used. Understanding supply needs, access to home utilities, and when to change location should be discussed, determined, and defined. In this article, the authors strive to provide this information for home parenteral and enteral nutrition support patients (consumers), caregivers, and clinicians.

Keywords: disaster planning; disasters; home care; home enteral nutrition; home parenteral nutrition; nutrition support.