All people need food to live. Sometimes a person cannot eat any or enough food because of an illness. Others may have a decreased appetite, difficulties in swallowing, or some type of surgery that interferes with eating. When this occurs, nutrition must be supplied in a different way. Enteral nutrition is food that is delivered into the digestive system in liquid

form. Drinking nutritional formulas and tube feeding are both forms of enteral nutrition. Normal digestion occurs when food is broken down in the stomach and intestine, then absorbed in the bowel. These nutrients are carried by the bloodstream to nourish all parts of the body. Enteral nutritional supplements are fed through a small feeding tube that can be placed either through the nose (nasogastric/nasoenteral) or surgically placed into the stomach or intestinal tract through an opening made on the outside of the stomach (Gastrostomy or Percutaneious Endoscopic Gastrosotmy – PEG, or Jejunostomy or Percutaneous Endocopic Jejunostomy – PEJ).

Tube feeding can be used to add to what a person is able to eat or can be the only source of nutrition. This special liquid food mixture contains protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. People of all ages receive tube feeding. It may be given to infants and children as well as adults, especially seniors. People function very well on tube feeding for as long as it’s needed. Many times, tube feeding is used for just a short time. The tube is removed when the person can begin to eat normally again.”

Our comprehensive and compassionate, customer-first approach offers patients, families, and caregivers a full array of clinical expertise and quality products within the comfort and familiarity of home. We have found that patients often respond better to therapy in a familiar, supportive environment. Our patients also benefit from a reduced risk of exposure to infection, all of which has been proven to result in better clinical outcomes. The reduced cost of home care benefits both the patient and their healthcare coverage payer, which means that everyone wins!

Working in conjunction with distributors such as Nestle, Ross, Abbott, Nutritia Advanced Medical Nutrition (SHS) our skilled customer service representatives offer a wide range of home medical equipment to help improve the quality of life for patients with special needs. RCP's homecare specialists communicate with both the patient and caregiver, evaluate the home environment and provide the appropriate equipment, as directed by the doctor's treatment plan. Patients and their caregivers receive not only equipment and formula, but caring support from our expert staff. Trained distribution staff deliver the equipment, set it up for safe and easy use by the patient/caregiver, and provide service or maintenance as required. Billing teams with expertise in Medicare, Medi-Cal and managed care plans handle third-party billing for the patient.