Intestinal Rehabilitation Program
AIRI's Intestinal Rehabilitation Program provides coordinated medical and nutrition care for patients with intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome.
Our multidisciplinary approach focuses on improving intestinal function, optimizing nutrition and hydration, managing complications, and reducing dependence on parenteral nutrition when clinically appropriate.
What is intestinal rehabilitation?
Intestinal rehabilitation is a coordinated approach to care for people whose intestines cannot absorb enough nutrients and fluids to meet their body's needs. It is commonly used for patients with intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome.
The goal is to maximize the function of the remaining intestine, maintain adequate nutrition and hydration, prevent complications, and, when clinically appropriate, reduce dependence on parenteral nutrition.
How intestinal rehabilitation works
Intestinal rehabilitation is individualized to help the remaining intestine absorb as much nutrition and fluid as possible while maintaining adequate nutrition and hydration. Treatment may change over time as the intestine adapts and a patient's needs change.
Depending on the patient's intestinal anatomy, symptoms, and nutrition needs, rehabilitation may include adjustments to diet and fluid intake, oral or enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition, medications, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and ongoing clinical and laboratory monitoring.
For some patients, the amount of parenteral nutrition or IV fluid support may be reduced over time as intestinal function improves. The pace and extent of this progress varies from patient to patient.
What is intestinal adaptation?
Intestinal adaptation is the process by which the remaining intestine adjusts after significant bowel loss and becomes more effective at absorbing nutrients and fluids. This process occurs gradually over time and is an important part of intestinal rehabilitation.
How much a patient can adapt varies. Important factors include the length and sections of intestine that remain, whether the colon and ileocecal valve are present, and the overall health and function of the remaining intestine.
As adaptation occurs, the remaining intestine may increase its absorptive capacity and become more efficient at using nutrients and fluids. For some patients, this can allow parenteral nutrition or IV fluid support to be reduced over time when clinically appropriate.
Your multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation team
Intestinal rehabilitation often requires expertise across several areas of care. AIRI brings together physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and care coordinators to develop and manage an individualized treatment plan based on each patient's intestinal anatomy, nutrition needs, and overall health.
Physician-led care
Clinical oversight, individualized treatment planning, and coordination with gastroenterology, surgery, and other specialists.
Nursing
Clinical monitoring, patient education, central-line support, and coordination of care at home.
Nutrition and pharmacy
Individualized nutrition therapy, parenteral nutrition management, medication support, and ongoing laboratory monitoring.
Care coordination and support
Coordination across specialists, home-infusion services, home health, and other resources involved in the patient's care.
Explore intestinal rehabilitation at AIRI
AIRI provides multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation for patients with intestinal failure, short bowel syndrome, and complex nutrition needs. Our team works with patients, families, and referring clinicians to develop individualized care plans and support ongoing care.
Information on this page is for educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical advice from your treating clinicians.