Tube Feeding Considerations In the Outpatient Adult Oncology Patient
Nathan Schober, RD, LD, CNSC, CET
Speaker Biography:
Nathan Schober is a Registered Dietitian (RD) from the United States of America who currently works as the Lead Clinical Oncology Dietitian at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Atlanta, Georgia. Nathan has worked in oncology nutrition for 8 years and for the past 7 years has been the primary member of the Nutrition Metabolic Support Team comprised of a multidisciplinary group of practitioners who initiate, manage, and discontinue tube feeding/total parenteral nutrition in oncology patients requiring these therapies as part of their treatment plan. He has been a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) since 2015 and has served on multiple national committees including the Enteral Nutrition Task Force with American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). In training Nathan completed a B.S. and a M.S. degree in Food and Nutrition Sciences from Illinois State University. Additionally, he has completed a B.S. in Exercise Science and is also a certified Cancer Exercise Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine.
Working with oncology patients has always been a passion for Nathan. However, since his diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in February of 2017. He has undergone treatment with 11 different chemotherapies, radiation therapy, and other treatments and now in full remission. However, this experience has deepened his passion for being a servant of nutrition therapy to the adult oncology population and provided him with a deeper sense of empathy for the struggles of the oncology patient. Having always been drawn to oncology and nutrition support as they provide the most significant challenges in nutrition, Nathan will hope to share his knowledge and experiences to help improve clinician use and management of enteral nutrition in oncology patients.
Abstract:
A review of the art and science of feeding tubes role and management in adult outpatient oncology patients. Discussing multiple topics including: types of feeding tubes, administration techniques, insurance coverage in United States, types of formula, blenderized tube feeding, modular items to formulas, medication administration through feeding tube considerations and dealing with/preventing clogged feeding tubes. This presentation will review current recommendations from leading organizations in the world focusing on nutrition support including recommendations from American Society for Parenteral (ASPEN) and Enteral Nutrition and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). As well as other considerations with diagnosing malnutrition early to allow for early interventions when indicated. With the hope in increasing practitioner awareness to malnutrition, intervening at the right time, and the ability to provide evidenced based answers for oncology patients requiring enteral nutrition support as part of their treatment plan.
Learning Objectives:
Ability to diagnose malnutrition accurately and be able to apply Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition recommendations
Ability to identify appropriate indications for a feeding tube and ability to define the correct type of feeding tube given patients case history
Ability to discuss variety of tube feeding formulas commercially available and proper techniques and resources in patient who prefer to make their own blenderized tube feedings
Ability to identify indications for different delivery methods (bolus, gravity, cyclic, continuous feedings)
Ability to identify the need for and knowledge of modular products to supplement feeding regiments
Ability to provide recommendations on how to best provide medications through a feeding tube
Ability to discuss possible interventions for feeding tube complications and clogs