Our Programs
We have several programs to manage feeding and nutrition problems.
The Steps to Feeding - Tube Transition clinic offers a two-week, outpatient based, intensive feeding intervention designed to increase oral eating for children who are tube fed. For more information see the handout.
Feeding impairment can be defined as the inability or the refusal to eat sufficiently to support growth and maintain adequate nutritional stores. They may be related to an underlying medical condition, swallowing difficulties, oral-motor difficulties, sensory food aversions, a poor appetite or behavioral challenges. (note - we do not have the resources and appropriate team make-up to deal with predominantly behavioral feeding issues)
BC Home Enteral Nutrition Program (BC HEN) provides support to patients in British Columbia and the Yukon who have specialized nutrition requirements due to gastrointestinal problems.
Funding for the BC HEN Program is provided by PHSA, but Providence Health Care manages the overall financial administration of both the adult and pediatric components.
The pediatric component of the Program provides formula and enteral nutrition supplies to infants and children who medically require a semi-elemental or an elemental diet. Polymeric formulas may be provided for children with Crohn’s disease who require exclusive enteral nutrition therapy or have demonstrated impaired linear growth.
Effective October 1, 2019, the home enteral nutrition program will no longer approve new referrals for patients requiring formula and/or supplies for children with a cow’s milk protein intolerance. Children with cow’s milk protein intolerance who are currently enrolled in the home enteral nutrition program will continue to be supported until they are able to tolerate cow’s milk protein, or their second birthday, whichever comes first.
If you would like to apply to the BC HEN Program or would like more information, follow the link to the BC HEN Program.
Intestinal failure can be defined as the bowel’s inability to absorb nutrients and fluids sufficiently to support growth and maintain adequate nutritional stores.
Causes of intestinal failure include:
- short bowel syndrome
- a history of intestinal resections
- a history of intestinal atresia or gastroschisis
CHIRP (Children's Hospital Intestinal Rehabilitation Program) is a multidisciplinary program which provides inpatient and outpatient services to patients with intestinal failure. The CHIRP team involves members from a variety of backgrounds including pediatrics, nutrition, gastroenterology and surgery. CHIRP follows all infants and children who require home parenteral nutrition support in British Columbia.
