Do you remember the movie Jerry Maguire? For some reason, this movie has recently popped in my head. If you remember, the plot centered around the concept that the main character all of a sudden developed a “moral compass,” and fought back against the big conglomerate company he worked for, as he felt like his clients (the whole purpose of the company) had fallen by the wayside, replaced by the focus on making money. He wanted to instead advocate for “less clients… personal relationships… more attention.”
In the movie he was fired from the company he helped build. He had the knowledge and experience, but was starting to be sickened by what was happening to his clients from his company getting so big. He needed to start from scratch. Change the status quo.
What in the world does this have to do with nutrition??
The healthcare system in the US is being stretched thin to say the least. It was not thriving before the pandemic, but in the last year, AHA estimates 1/3 of hospitals are operating in the red. Staffing is an issue with high turnover and labor shortages, supply expenses have increased, drug prices are up. As patients, you are dependent on your healthcare system providing you with the care you need. Or the clinic or the home infusion company. However, with money tight, this coverage may not be as adequate as you think. Two major home infusion companies just cut their clinical support staff in HALF. So who does the patient call when they are at home struggling with malnutrition?
Opposite from the movie Jerry Maguire, the healthcare system is struggling to find the money to function. This includes hospitals and clinics. In a non-revenue producing field, like nutrition, this poses a big problem.
Sure, we know malnutrition leads to:
-higher medical costs; it more than doubles average cost per stay with readmissions costing 26-34% more than well nourished patients
-54% higher chance of readmission
-longer hospital length of stay
-higher infection rates, falls, pressure ulcerations and slower wound healing
- Head and neck cancer – decreased treatment tolerance and increased unplanned hospitalizations
-GI surgical oncology patients- decreased survival
The economic burden of increased complications, prolonged hospital stay and readmission is estimated to be $157 BILLION (cms.gov).
Next week we celebrate "Malnutrition Awareness Week." Yet worsening malnutrition in the outpatient system is routinely not adequately addressed. We know increased # of interventions with dietitians improves these outcomes.
But relying on our current healthcare system to front the money to pay for an adequate staff of experienced nutrition professionals to maximize each patient’s nutritional status... may not be your best bet.
We know the problem, the costs and the fallout.
Maybe we need to start from scratch. Change the status quo. Who's coming with me??!!
If you are struggling at home with your tube feeding, if your malnutrition is worsening, call us at Enteral. In the words of Jerry Maguire…
References: https://www.aha.org/guidesreports/2022-09-15-current-state-hospital-finances-fall-2022-update
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