From Evidence to Clinical Practice: Positive Effect of Implementing a Protein-Enriched Hospital Menu in Conjunction With Individualized Dietary Counseling.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate if a protein-enriched menu in conjunction with individualized dietary counseling would increase energy and protein intake in hospitalized patients at nutrition risk compared with providing the protein-enriched menu as a stand-alone intervention.


METHODS
Data from medical and surgical hospitalized patients were prospectively collected and compared with a historical intervention group (HIG). Primary outcome was the number of patients achieving >75% of energy and protein requirements. Secondary outcomes included mean energy and protein intake (adjusted for body weight [ABW]), readmission rate, and the number of patients with a baseline intake <50% of energy and protein requirement, who increased to ≥50%.


RESULTS
In the intervention group (IG), 92% vs 76% in the HIG reached >75% of energy requirements ( P = .04); 90% in the IG vs 66% in the HIG reached >75% of protein requirements ( p = <0.01). The IG had a significantly higher mean intake of energy and protein compared with the HIG: ABW, 31 kcal kg-1vs 25 kcal kg-1( P < .01) and 1.2 g protein kg-1vs 0.9 g protein kg-1( P < .001). More than 85% of the patients with a baseline <50% of the EP requirement achieved ≥75% of the energy and protein requirement. No difference between readmission rates was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Providing a protein-enriched menu in conjunction with individualized dietary counseling significantly increased protein and energy intake in hospitalized patients at nutrition risk.
1 Nutritional Research Unit, Herlev Gentofte University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
Tina
T
Munk
2 Municipality of Ballerup, Ballerup, Denmark.
Nina
N
Bruun
3 Nutritional Research Unit, The Nordic Kitchen, Herlev Gentofte University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
Michael A
MA
Nielsen
4 Abdominal Centre, Rigshospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Thordis
T
Thomsen
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003376:Counseling; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D005521:Food Service, Hospital; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004044:Dietary Proteins
dietary proteins; hospital food service; malnutrition; menu planning; nutritional status