Paula Ravasco1, Paulo Martins, Ana Ruivo, Maria Ermelinda Camilo. 1. Centre of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, Avenida Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal. p.ravasco@fm.ul.pt
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: This survey aimed to provide a nationwide overview about the current practice of nutrition. METHODS: Questionnaires designed by the Portuguese Association of Parenteral Enteral Nutrition were sent, with postage-paid addressee envelopes, to all hospitals and primary-care institutions. RESULTS: Hospitals' response rate was 44/100 (44%), reaching 274/359 (60%) in primary care, P=0.02. A Nutrition Support Team (NST) was reported in 34% hospitals, 40% of which were teaching hospitals. In 3/15 (9%) hospitals, NST nutrition prescriptions covered the whole hospital population; in 16% the NST only acted on a consultant basis; in 30% they were involved in purchasing nutrition products and in 18% the NST promoted teaching/training. Physicians alone prescribed oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition in 50%, 64% and 74% hospitals, respectively, and also monitored parenteral nutrition in 69% hospitals; monitoring oral/enteral nutrition involved dietitians in 46% and 41% hospitals, respectively; nurses were never involved in NSTs and seldom participated in nutritional management. Most primary-care institutions with hospital units (91%) provided nutrition therapy and nurses were then the most involved professionals, P=0.001, even prescribing regimens while physicians favoured monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition therapy is mostly unidisciplinary; the concept of a NST and its roles is wrongly perceived; education and training are eagerly awaited.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: This survey aimed to provide a nationwide overview about the current practice of nutrition. METHODS: Questionnaires designed by the Portuguese Association of Parenteral Enteral Nutrition were sent, with postage-paid addressee envelopes, to all hospitals and primary-care institutions. RESULTS: Hospitals' response rate was 44/100 (44%), reaching 274/359 (60%) in primary care, P=0.02. A Nutrition Support Team (NST) was reported in 34% hospitals, 40% of which were teaching hospitals. In 3/15 (9%) hospitals, NST nutrition prescriptions covered the whole hospital population; in 16% the NST only acted on a consultant basis; in 30% they were involved in purchasing nutrition products and in 18% the NST promoted teaching/training. Physicians alone prescribed oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition in 50%, 64% and 74% hospitals, respectively, and also monitored parenteral nutrition in 69% hospitals; monitoring oral/enteral nutrition involved dietitians in 46% and 41% hospitals, respectively; nurses were never involved in NSTs and seldom participated in nutritional management. Most primary-care institutions with hospital units (91%) provided nutrition therapy and nurses were then the most involved professionals, P=0.001, even prescribing regimens while physicians favoured monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition therapy is mostly unidisciplinary; the concept of a NST and its roles is wrongly perceived; education and training are eagerly awaited.
Authors: C L Hvas; K Farrer; E Donaldson; B Blackett; H Lloyd; C Forde; G Garside; P Paine; S Lal Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2014-09-24 Impact factor: 4.016