The Manitoba Home Nutrition Program (MHNP) teams consisting of a dietitian, nurse, physician and pharmacist provide training, monitoring and support to children and adults in Manitoba who require home nutrition support.

For general information about MHNP, please click here. For information of concern to the health care professional, see the "Question and Answer" section or contact the Manitoba Home Nutrition Program at:

Commonly asked questions:

1. What is the role of the MHNP?
2. Who are the clinicians involved in the MHNP
3. What patients are appropriate referrals to this program?
4. How many patients are currently followed by the MHNP?
5. What is the best way to contact the MHNP for a patient consult?
6. How long will it take to discharge a patient on Home EN?
7. How long will it take to discharge a patient on Home TPN or HT?
8. How has the restructuring of heath care in Manitoba affect the MHNP?

Answers:

1. What is the role of the MHNP?
   
   
   • Establish nutrition goals and devised an individual care plan.
   • Educate patient and/or care provider to administer nutrition support and manage the access device.
   • Arrange for provisions of formula / solution and related supplies.
   • Provide ongoing nutritional follow up.
   • Facilitate the transition to enteral/oral.
   • Communicate patient's progress to appropriate heath care providers.

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2. Who are the clinicians involved in the MHNP?

Dietitians:

G. Benedictoson, A. Plette, P. Thomson

Nurses:

L. Wilson, M. Kvern

Physicians:

Dr.C.Yaffe, Dr.D.Duerksen, Dr.G.Remple, Dr.R.Postuma

Pharmacists:

E. Ting, B.Rocquigny

Manager:

E.Allec.

  Individuals who require nutritional support (parenteral nutrition (PN), enteral nutrition (EN), or hydration therapy (HT)) at home may be suitable candidates. Potential clients are assessed based on selection criteria specific to each mode of therapy. Most importantly, home PM or EN clients must have a documented inability to meet the nutritional needs via the enteral or oral route respectively. The MHNP does not accept clients for home oral supplementation.

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4. How many patients are currently followed by the MHNP?
  As of September 30,2000: 

Adult EN          103   patients

Pediatric EN     144  patients

PH / HT            10    patients

Fax or mail a referral to the office for community / outpatient referrals.

Complete a consult form and notify the office by phone for inpatient referrals

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• Learn to administer their EN.
• Learn to care for their tube site
  
  

  In order to expedite hospital discharge:

• Discontinue all IV fluids and medications.
• Transition the infusion to intermittent feeds or 10-12 hour overnight infusion
• Have patient mobilizing and managing their activities of daily living (ADL)

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7. How long will it take to discharge a patient on Home TPN or HT?
  This will vary with each individual, but generally requires about one to two weeks from the time the consult is addressed. The patient and/or care provider must:

• Learn to administer the PN or HT independently and safely.
• Be able to recognize potential complications(eg: Occlusions, infection, etc.)

Learn to care for their various devices.

  In order to expedite hospital discharge:

• Discontinue IV medications.
• Cycle down the infusion to 10-12 hours.
• Have patients mobilizing and manage their ADL
• Consult home care is support is needed at home.

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8. How has the restructuring of heath care in Manitoba affect the MHNP?