ESPEN 2022 Late Breaking Abstracts

Topic: Nutrition and chronic disease

Abstract Submission Identifier: ESPEN22-LB-2138

COST SAVINGS ASSOCIATED WITH COMMERCIAL BLENDERIZED TUBE FEEDING FORMULAS IN POST-ACUTE CARE ADULT PATIENTS

A. Henrikson^*, ¹, A. Desai ², F. Allen ³, S. Yeddula ⁴, K. Araujo Torres ³

¹Medical Affairs, Nestlé Health Science, ²Market Access, ³Medical Affairs, Nestlé Health Science, Bridgewater, United States, ⁴Data Analytics & Insights, Clarivate Analytics, Bengaluru, India

Rationale: Enteral Nutrition is a life-sustaining treatment often initiated in the hospital setting and may continue upon discharge as part of the continuum of care. The study objective was to evaluate healthcare costs among adult patients receiving a commercial blenderized tube feeding (CBTF) formula in post-acute care.

Methods: Patient characteristics, medication use, GI intolerance symptoms, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs were assessed retrospectively in adults receiving a CBTF formula (Compleat® Organic Blends, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, US) between Jan 2018 and Dec 2020. Multivariate costs after adjusting for age, sex and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score were compared in pre-index (within 1 year before hospital discharge date) and post-index (last record at 28, 84, and 168 days post-discharge) periods.

Results: In 124 adults, use of CBTF formula was well tolerated and associated with statistically significant reductions in GI intolerance and HCRU at post-index periods.¹ The total adjusted costs significantly (p<0.05) decreased from $827,997 at pre-index to $375,944 at 168-days post-index (Table 1).  The results from multivariate analysis revealed the adjusted costs significantly decreased (p<0.05) for emergency department, inpatient, outpatient, and other visits at all post-index periods. 

Table 1: Cost Comparisons Pre-index vs Post-Index in Adult Patients Receiving CBTF formula in Post-Acute Care (N=124)

*Includes outpatient, inpatient, emergency department, urgent care & other visits; ^†p<0.05 using multivariate t-Test

Conclusion: The use of CBTF was associated with significant reduction in costs in post-acute care, demonstrating its potential role in reducing the economic burden to patients and the healthcare system.

References: 1. Henrikson A et al. J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2022;46:S74–S226.

Disclosure of Interest: A. Henrikson Other: Employee, Nestle Health Science, A. Desai Other: Employee, Nestle Health Science, F. Allen Other: Employee, Nestle Health Science, S. Yeddula Consultant for: Nestle Health Science, K. Araujo Torres Other: Employee, Nestle Health Science

Keywords: Blenderized tube feeding, enteral nutrition, Feeding intolerance, Healthcare cost, Healthcare Resource Use, Post acute care