ESPEN 2013 - Late breaking abstract submission

Late Breaking Abstract

ESPEN13-1826

A SURVEY ON ARTIFICIAL NUTRITION PRACTICES IN A FRENCH TEACHING HOSPITAL

A. Jirka 1,*K. Belhocine 1P. Cecile 2I. Bouhier 2D. Darmaun 1

1Gastroenterology and Nutrition Support Unit, 2Risk evaluation and managment unit, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France

 

Rationale: The study was designed  by the Hospital Coordination Committee on Dietetics and Nutrition (CLAN) to evaluate the routines used  for  nutrition screening and nutrition support  in adult patients staying in different departments ranging from psychiatry to intensive care unit,  and assess  the impact of the protocols  and recommendations proposed by the CLAN. 

Methods: It was a snap shot, one day observational study. A questionnaire was distributed to 63 units to be the filled-in on a single day (June 21, 2012) by head nurses. The data was analyzed using  the SPPS statistical analysis software.  

Results: The rate of return of the form was 85%. Nighteen percent of responders  were  aware of the local screening tool and the local standards for malnutrition management. Weight was  measured at least once a week in 66,7% of patients.

Nighty nine of the 1388 (7.1%) patients hospitalized on that  day in the responding units were receiving  enteral (EN) or parenteral nutrition (PN). The mean volumes of administrated enteral and parenteral nutrition were  1236 ml and 1459 ml, respectively. The calorie ratio of  enteral to parenteral feeding route was 2.6. An infusion pump was used in 62.5% of cases for parenteral and in 92,1% for enteral nutrition administration. In >40% of cases, drugs were added to EN or PN bags. A cyclic regimen for parenteral and enteral nutrition was prescribed in 12% and 92% of cases, respectively. A “multi-bottle” system was used in 4% of cases.  

 

Conclusion: The results reveal a huge gap between the local standard of care documents and current practices in our hospital, regarding, for instance,  insufficient weight surveillance, inappropriate addition of drugs into EN and PN bags, or the insufficient use of pumps, and cyclic PN. The predominant  use of  enteral nutrition, however, is consistent with  the aim of the nutrition team to promote enteral approach of nutrition support. 

 

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared

 

Keywords: artificial nutrtion, screening, protocol implementation