Analysis of a clinical pathway for home enteral nutrition in the Region of Murcia. Consumption and associated expenses and adaptation to the National Health System Guide

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the compliance with the Guide for home enteral nutrition (HEN) of the Spanish national health system of the prescriptions made in a specific area (Health Area I of the Region of Murcia) before and after implementation of a clinical pathway based on that guide, and to compare the changes in healthcare costs of diet therapy during the 2007-2014 period in the Regional and National Health system.

Method: A descriptive study to quantify compliance with the main criteria of the HEN guide before (2010) and after (2013-2014) implementation of the clinical pathway. Changes in health expenditure and consumption during the 2007-2014 period were also analyzed.

Results: All markers of compliance with the national HEN guide improved after implementation of the clinical pathway. In addition, Murcia has one of the Spanish lowest expenditures per population, below the national average.

Conclusion: The clinical pathway implemented improves compliance with the national guide of prescriptions to patients in the Region of Murcia while containing health resources expenditure and consumption, thus making diet therapy prescription more sustainable.

Keywords: Cuidados domiciliarios; Drug costs; Enteral nutrition; Gasto en medicación; Home care services; Nutrición enteral; Nutritional support; Soporte nutricional.