A systematized interdisciplinary nutritional care plan results in improved clinical outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated identification and treatment of patients at-risk for malnutrition and extended inpatient length of stay.


METHODS
Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records for a period of 6 months. The records were reviewed for (1) adherence to RD recommendation, (2) decreasing serum albumin during hospital stay, (3) length of hospital stay, (4) readmission within 30 days, (5) age, (6) gender, (7) past medical history, (8) primary and secondary diagnoses, (9) the presence or absence of a diet order and (10) medications.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for diagnoses associated with nutrition-related complications. Patient's records were excluded for length of stay less than 4 days, or in-hospital death.


RESULTS
The mean LOS was 10 days shorter when the advice was followed (p=0.0074).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients at high nutritional risk have a shorter LOS and have fewer complications when the RD advice is followed.
Department of Nutrition Services, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Christopher
C
Lee
James
J
Rucinski
Larry
L
Bernstein
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome