Intestinal rehabiltation
Intestinal Failure Program
AIRI provides coordinated medical and nutrition care for patients with intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome. Our physician-led program combines intestinal rehabilitation, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and home parenteral nutrition (HPN) management, clinical monitoring, and hospital-to-home support to help patients improve intestinal function, prevent complications, and reduce dependence on parenteral nutrition when clinically appropriate.
Program goals
- Improve intestinal function and the absorption of nutrients and fluids
- Reduce dependence on parenteral nutrition and IV fluids when clinically appropriate
- Prevent and manage complications related to intestinal failure, parenteral nutrition, and central venous access
- Support long-term health and nutritional independence, including safe transition to home care and evaluation for surgical or transplant options when appropriate
What the program includes
Comprehensive evaluation
We assess intestinal anatomy and surgical history, nutrition and hydration status, oral and enteral intake, parenteral nutrition needs, medications, laboratory trends, and venous access to develop an individualized care plan.
Nutrition and parenteral nutrition management
We individualize oral, enteral, and parenteral nutrition based on intestinal anatomy, absorption, fluid and electrolyte needs, organ function, and laboratory trends, adjusting support as the patient's needs change.
Medication and intestinal rehabilitation
Medications and rehabilitation strategies are tailored to intestinal anatomy and symptoms to manage output, improve absorption, and support intestinal adaptation. Patients may also be evaluated for therapies such as GLP-2 analogues when appropriate.
Central-line care and ongoing monitoring
We focus on preserving central venous access and preventing complications while monitoring hydration, kidney and liver function, electrolytes, micronutrients, bone health, and tolerance of nutrition therapy.
Hospital to home transition
For patients who need home parenteral nutrition after hospitalization, AIRI coordinates with the hospital or LTACH, home-infusion pharmacy, home health, and caregivers to support a safe transition home. Before discharge, we confirm the nutrition plan, venous access, patient or caregiver readiness, home-infusion services, and ongoing monitoring and follow-up.
When additional specialty care is needed
AIRI coordinates additional specialist evaluation when a patient's anatomy, complications, or clinical course requires care beyond medical and nutritional management.
| Care pathway | When it maybe considered |
|---|---|
| Multidisciplinary review | Complex or unstable cases that benefit from coordinated medical, nutrition, pharmacy, and surgical review. |
| Surgical evaluation | When intestinal anatomy or complications may benefit from reconstruction, bowel lengthening, fistula repair, ostomy revision, or correction of obstruction. |
| Intestinal transplant evaluation | When serious complications of intestinal failure or long-term parenteral nutrition develop, including progressive liver dysfunction, recurrent life-threatening catheter infections, or loss of central venous access. |
| Specialty care | Coordination with hepatology, nephrology, infectious disease, wound and ostomy care, behavioral health, interventional radiology, or other specialists as needed. |
Your multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation team
AIRI brings together physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, home-health clinicians, and referral coordinators to address the medical, nutritional, and practical needs of patients with intestinal failure. We also coordinate with each patient's existing gastroenterologist, surgeon, primary care clinician, and other specialists to support continuity of care.
Physician-led care
Clinical oversight, individualized treatment planning, and coordination of specialty care when needed.
Nursing
Clinical monitoring, central-line support, patient education, and coordination of care at home.
Nutrition and pharmacy
Individualized nutrition therapy, parenteral nutrition management, pharmacy support, and ongoing monitoring.
Care coordination and support
Referral coordination, home-health services, and support for practical barriers that may affect treatment and care at home.
Refer a patient for intestinal failure care
AIRI provides coordinated intestinal failure and intestinal rehabilitation care for patients who need ongoing nutrition support, home parenteral nutrition, or specialized care after hospitalization. We work with hospitals, LTACHs, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and other referring clinicians across Northern California to support safe transitions home and ongoing care.