Structure and organisation of 47 nutrition support teams in Germany: a prospective investigation in 2000 German hospitals in 1999

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation. Contrary to the Anglo-American region, very little is known in Germany on the structure and organisation of nutrition support teams (NST). DESIGN: Prospective investigation of the structure and organisation of German NST, using standardised interview questionnaires. SETTINGS: Hospitals with more than 250 beds in Germany. SUBJECTS: German NST (n=47). INTERVENTIONS: Face-to-face interview in 1999, using a standardised questionnaire. RESULTS: From a total of 2000 German hospitals, NST have been established at 47 hospitals (2.3%). Most NST are affiliated to a large university hospital or an academic teaching hospital. In general, the NST are not independently operating units but are affiliated to a special discipline, and were in operation for an average of 8 y. The NST cared for a median of 65 outpatients annually. At the university hospitals in average, 477 in-patients were treated per year, at the teaching hospitals 400 and at all other hospitals 179. The work of the NST centred on enteral nutrition. A total of 47% of the physicians, 19% of the nurses and 19% of the dietitians in the NST held a nutrition-specific additional qualification. A total of 2% of the physicians, 68% of the nurses and 77% of the dietitians are exclusively responsible for the NST. More than 70% of the financing of the personnel was secured through third-party funds. CONCLUSION: In Germany, neither uniform nor comprehensive patient care by NST existed in 1999. More than 50% of all NST members do not hold a nutrition-specific additional qualification. Frequently, besides their tasks in the team, the NST staff also carries out other clinical functions. Contrary to the American NST, the German NST are not interdisciplinary operating units but are primarily financed through third-party funds of the industry.     

Survey on structure and performance of nutrition-support teams in Germany

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Interdisciplinary nutrition-support teams (NSTs) can improve the efficacy of clinical nutrition. The purpose of this survey was to investigate the prevalence, and structure of German NSTs. METHOD: Hospitals in Germany with more that 250 beds were screened for the existence of NSTs. Eligible NSTs were interviewed about structural characteristics, administration of clinical nutrition and quality control in a face-to-face manner using a standardised questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 47 NSTs existed in Germany revealing a prevalence of 5.6%. Their main activities were creating nutritional regimens (100%), education (98%) and monitoring nutrition therapy (96%). Twenty-two of NST-physicians (50%) had a specific education as compared to 20.9% NST-nurses and 24% NST-dietitians. Only 12.7% of physicians and 17% of dieticians in comparison to 55.3% of nurses received funding support. Improvement of clinical nutrition by means of increased use of enteral nutrition and special diets was indicated by 72%, 23%, respectively. Some NSTs indicated a reduction of complications (38.3%) and cost-saving (34%) since their establishment. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low prevalence of interdisciplinary NSTs in Germany. Standards of practice, development of guidelines in clinical nutrition and better documentation in NSTs are necessary. Special efforts should be aimed at education of NST members and financing of teams.     

Les unités transversales de nutrition : bilan et perspectives

Nutrition support teams (NST) are hospital transverse nutrition care structures, recently established and developed in France. In continental Europe, their prevalence is 5–10%. Nutritional assessment and care are their main actions. Education, clinical research and assessment of the practices are secondary aims of NST. Physicians, dieticians, nurses and pharmacists are the main participants. The weekly durations of work dedicated to NST are low, explaining the small number of followed patients and the limited types of actions. NST are generally integrated in another hospital division or service, and provide examinations for in or out hospitalized patients. Interventions concern internal medicine, neurology, oncology, intensive care units, with patients suffering from digestive, neurological or cancer diseases. NST financing generally comes from hospitals. NST generates benefits for patients in terms of morbidity, mortality and length of stay and consequently save money. Nutritional competence of NST participants and duration of action could be predictive of good results. As propositions, international definition of NST should be clarified, the number of NST could increase, with more numerous and educated staffs, and more time dedicated. A better quotation of nutritional interventions and a development of assessment of NST could be recommended.     

Bridging Policy and Service Performance of Hospital-Based Nutrition Support by Healthcare Information Technology

Although the healthcare policy was implemented to incentivize the multidisciplinary services of hospital-based nutrition support team (NST) in South Korea, timely completion of the services has been challenging in the hospitals. We enhanced NST healthcare information technology (NST−HIT) to bridge the gap between policy implementation and seamless execution of the policy in the hospital system. A 48 month pre-test−post-test study was performed, including a 12 month pre-intervention period, a six month intervention period, and a 30 month post-intervention period. The enhanced NST−HIT provided sufficient patient data and streamlined communication processes among end-users. A Student’s t-test showed that the timely completion rate of NST consultations, the reimbursement rate of NST consultations, average response times of NST physicians and nurses, and length of hospital stay significantly improved during the post-intervention period. A segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series showed that the average response times of NST physicians had sustained after the interventions. We believe that well-structured, multi-pronged initiatives with leadership support from the hospital improved service performance of hospital NST in response to national-level healthcare policy changes.     

Towards implementation of optimum nutrition and better clinical nutrition support

Clinical Nutrition Support--defined as nutrition for hospitalized patients suffering from metabolic stress--plays a limited role in the therapeutic routine of the physician. This is not surprising as most research in the field of clinical nutrition is disappointing with regard to the objective outcomes: morbidity and mortality. These reflections advocate a more 'pharmaceutical approach' to nutrition in order to perform more proper studies on the potential effectiveness of this treatment modality. To provide all patients in the Academic Medical Centre (AMC) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, with optimum clinical nutrition support, a Nutrition Support Team (NST) was established in 1996. This NST is coaching the dieticians and physicians in the AMC regarding clinical nutrition support. In practice this coaching consists of providing clear guidelines on what is supposed to be optimum nutrition, a basic course in parenteral nutrition and further continuous education. The concept of optimum nutrition is spread by the NST through various ways of education, both nationally and internationally. For adults, optimum nutrition is defined as the amount of protein, that stimulates whole body protein synthesis maximally (1.7 g/kg actual body weight) and covers anabolic energy need (35 kcal/kg actual body weight). The dietician is considered to be the expert in the field of optimum nutrition by oral, enteral or parenteral route. The Dietetic Department has increased its influence in the care of the patient by placing nutritional status and care on the chart of the patient's treatment. To provide optimal Nutrition Support for children and severe ill patients (Intensive care department) specialized teams were started which were co-ordinated by the central NST. The central NST has a co-ordinating and educating role, while the Specialized Nutrition Support Teams (Specialized NST) construct guidelines, undertake research and provide continuous optimum nutrition care.     

Vers un référentiel de surveillance pratique du patient en nutrition parentérale à domicile

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) formerly prescribed only by nutrition support team (NST) is now possible with standard formulas. Today in France more than 2500 nutritional bags are infused at home each day. A survey of proceedings showed a great variability in clinical practices after discharge. Numerous data (dependence, duration, self-perfusion, underlying disease…) interfere on monitoring practices. Generally home care companies are more involved in the taking care of HPN than physicians or nurses. The use of written proceedings is very heterogeneous.     

北京大医院神经科住院患者营养风险、营养不足、超重和肥胖发生率及营养支持应用状况

目的调查北京大医院神经科住院患者营养风险、营养不足、超重和肥胖发生率及营养支持应用情况。方法对2005年3月至2006年3月在北京3家大医院神经科住院的患者进行营养风险筛查2002（NRS2002）,于患者人院次日早晨实施,并调查患者2周内（或至出院时）的营养支持状况,分析营养风险和营养支持之间的关系。NRS2002≥3分为有营养风险,体重指数（BMI）〈18．5kg／m。（或白蛋白〈30g／L）结合临床情况判定为营养不足。结果共有753例住院患者入选,其中461例（61．2％）完成NRS2002筛查。营养不足和营养风险的发生率分别为4．2％和21．2％,如果将不能获得BMI值的患者排除,则两者的发生率分别为5．4％和10．8％。在160例有营养风险的患者中,有23例（14．4％）接受了营养支持;在593例无营养风险的患者中,有13例（2．2％）接受了营养支持。所有患者肠外和肠内营养的应用比例为1：2。结论北京大医院神经科中有相当量的住院患者存在营养风险或营养不足,营养支持应用存在某些不合理性,应推广和应用基于证据的肠外肠内营养指南以改善此状况。     

陕西省医疗机构临床营养科建设现状调查分析

目的 了解陕西省医疗机构临床营养科的建设现状及存在问题，为促进全省医疗机构临床营养工作提供参考依据。方法 用自行设计的统一问卷对陕西省二级及以上医院临床营养科的建设现状及存在问题进行调查，并对结果进行统计分析。结果 共调查45家医院，其中27家设有临床营养科；共有营养医生70人，医技38人，护士114人。营养科55.6%(15/27)设有专职科主任；81.5%(22/27)归属临床科室和医技科室；37.0%(10/27)设有肠外营养配置室，44.4%(12/27)设有肠内营养配置室；59.3%(16/27)治疗膳食外包。51.9%(14/27)医院肠内营养制剂归属营养科。营养从业人员＜40岁者占56.3%，女性占95.0%，本科及以上学历者占89.2%，营养学相关专业者占17.1%，中级及以下职称者占84.6%，工作年限≤5年者占51.8%。临床类别执业医师人数与医院床位比为1∶345，远低于1∶200的要求。被调查者认为营养科现存主要问题是医院管理层不重视(62.2%，28/45)和现有人员缺乏营养专业知识(40.0%，18/45)；认可的解决办法是促使医院管理层重视支持营养科建设(62.2%，28/45)，引进专业人才(28.9%，13/45)和对现有人员进行规范化培训(26.7%，12/45)。结论 陕西省医疗机构临床营养科建设存在医院管理层不重视，人员结构(性别、年龄、职称、所学专业)不合理，技术力量不足等问题。建议采取有效措施加强营养科建设，提高现有人员业务素质，引进专业人才，以充分发挥其膳食治疗和营养支持等科室职能。     

应用营养风险筛查2002方法对天津市三级甲等医院住院患者营养风险、营养不足筛查、营养支持情况调查

目的调查天津三级甲等医院部分科室住院患者营养风险筛查（NRS）2002方法适用率、营养风险发生率以及接受营养支持的情况,为合理应用肠外肠内营养提供依据。方法2005年3月至2006年3月对天津南开医院及天津胸科医院6个科室住院患者采用连续定点抽样调查,应用NRS2002方法进行营养风险筛查,并调查营养支持情况。结果共完成1200例住院患者的营养筛查,NRS2002方法在1200例住院患者的营养筛查适用率为93．0％,总的营养不足和营养风险发生率分别为9．8％和42．8％。有营养风险者接受营养支持为241例（46．4％）,无营养风险者接受营养支持为244（35．9％）。结论NRS2002方法对住院患者营养风险筛查有较高的适用率。住院患者存在一定的营养风险或营养不足,不同地区、不同医院的各科室医生对于营养风险、营养不足了解和关注存在着一定的差距,临床可能存在着营养支持某些不合理性。     

Total parenteral nutrition by a nutrition support team: improved quality of care

Most of the studies that have examined the effect of nutrition support teams (NST) on the quality of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) have found reductions in the frequency of metabolic and central venous catheter related complications. Previous studies have not examined the patterns of nutrient delivery (eg, calories and protein) when TPN is provided either by a primary physician or by a NST. We compared the quality of TPN care provided by our NST or by primary physicians utilizing nonspecialized hospital personnel and resources. As expected, catheter complications were significantly less frequent in NST patients. Assessment of nutritional status and nutrient requirements as well as nitrogen balance were performed and documented significantly more often in NST patients. In addition, nutritional goals for calories and protein were achieved and positive nitrogen balance documented more often in NST patients. The need to consult the NST physician to utilize the NST was not well received by primary attending and resident physicians and resulted in nonuse of the team. In the future, modification of NST policies will be explored to encourage greater utilization of the NST without compromising the high standard of nutrition care delivered by the NST.     

Assessing appropriate parenteral nutrition ordering practices in tertiary care medical centers

Background: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is an essential feeding route for specific patient populations. Despite its utility, PN is invasive, costly, and associated with clinical complications. In most U.S. hospitals, PN is overprescribed. This study measured rates of inappropriate PN use in hospitalized adults, as determined by the 2002 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition guidelines, at 4 tertiary care South Carolina hospitals (facilities A–D). Secondary aims were to identify indicators of inappropriate use and estimated preventable costs. Methods: Over a 3‐month period, trained registered dietitians at each site collected data retrospectively and prospectively to determine PN appropriateness and indicators of use in 278 randomly selected PN cases. Results: PN therapy was inappropriately prescribed in 32% of cases, resulting in approximately 552 days and $138,000 in preventable hospital costs. Thirteen percent of patients who were prescribed inappropriate PN were discharged on home PN. Mean duration of PN therapy was higher in inappropriate cases vs appropriate cases (6 ± 7 days [range, 1–78 days] vs 10 ± 10.6 days [range, 1–51 days]; P < .004). Facility B had lower rates of inappropriately prescribed PN (23%) compared with facilities A (33%), C (35%), and D (38%). Dietitians recommended against PN in >70% of all inappropriate cases at facilities A and D compared with <45% at facilities B and D (P < .001). Facility B employed more certified nutrition support dietitians (68% of staff) and was among the 2 hospitals using a nutrition support team (NST). Conclusion: This study was novel by comparing PN practices in statewide hospitals. Results indicate that NSTs and certified nutrition support clinicians can curtail preventable spending from inappropriate PN use. Future studies should identify barriers in implementing evidence‐based practice.     

贵州省中小医院住院患者营养风险筛查及营养支持应用现状

目的调查贵州省中小医院住院患者营养风险、营养不足、超重和肥胖发生率及营养支持的应用现状。方法采用定点连续抽样,选择2008年2月至2009年3月贵州省4家中小医院普通外科、胸外科、神经内科、消化内科、呼吸内科、。肾内科住院患者进行营养风险筛查2002（NRS2002）,于患者入院次日早晨实施,并调查患者2周内（或至出院时）的营养支持状况,分析营养风险和营养支持的关系。NRS2002i〉3分为有营养风险,体重指数〈18．5kg／m。并结合患者临床情况判定为营养不足。结果共1668例患者人选并全部完成NRS2002筛查,营养不足和营养风险的发生率分别为12．2％和30．2％,504例有营养风险的患者中54例（11．7％）接受营养支持,所有营养支持均为肠外营养。结论NRS2002适用于住院患者的营养筛查;营养支持在贵州省中小医院应用不足,应用方式单一,需进一步规范基于循证医学证据的营养支持应用。     

Health-care professionals' perceived trust in and willingness to recommend functional foods: a qualitative study

The aim of this study was to investigate some Swedish dieticians', registered nurses' and physicians' thoughts about functional foods and their willingness to recommend such foods to patients. The health-care professionals were recruited to participate in one group interview with each profession. Participants were recruited through mailed invitations from primary care centers in Uppsala County district. The interviewed physicians and registered nurses, in contrast to the dieticians, expressed more skepticism and distrust about functional foods, their claimed effects on health and the research documenting these effects. The participating dieticians were more willing to recommend the products to patients than were the participating nurses and physicians. Differences in educational and professional background and level of proficiency in nutrition may have affected the disparate beliefs about functional foods among the interviewed groups. Confusion among patients could be a consequence but further research into these disparities is needed.     

Recommendations of nutrition support team promote cost containment

Traditionally, Nutrition Support Teams (NST) have been employed in an advisory capacity to recommend the most beneficial type of total nutritional support. Frequently, this form of therapy is also the most economical, particularly when enteral nutrition can replace parenteral nutrition. In a retrospective study, we reviewed the files of 31 patients who had received total nutritional support and compared the nutritional therapy initiated by their attending physicians to the therapy recommended by the NST. Based on guidelines established by the NST, we evaluated patient records for appropriateness of therapy and potential monetary savings had the NST's recommendations been followed. In the majority of cases in which compliance with the NST's recommendations was not accepted, the NST had encouraged the use of enteral nutritional support rather than parenteral nutrition. In the 14 noncompliant cases (representing 280 days of nutritional support) the potential savings to these patients was estimated at $70,200 (more than $5,000 per patient).     

石家庄市中小医院住院患者营养风险筛查及营养支持应用现状

目的调查1所中等医院的普通外科、胸外科、消化内科、神经内科、肾内科、呼吸内科6个科室的住院患者和1所县级医院的内、外科住院患者营养风险发生率、实际应用营养支持率,为住院患者合理应用营养支持提供参考依据。方法采用营养风险筛查2002评分方法对住院患者进行营养风险筛查评估以及营养支持应用现状调查。结果中等医院6个科室住院患者的营养风险发生率为25％,其中呼吸内科营养风险发生率最高,为31％,其次为神经内科29％,以后依次为’肾内科27％、胸外科23％、消化内科22％、普通外科18％,有营养风险的患者中24％进行了营养支持,无营养风险患者中9％进行了营养支持。小医院营养风险发生率为18％,其中内科29％、外科7％,有营养风险患者使用营养支持占24％,无营养风险患者中4％进行了营养支持。结论石家庄市中小医院住院患者存在一定数量的营养风险和营养不良（不足）,肠外和肠内营养存在不合理性,今后在中小医院进一步推广基于循证医学的肠外肠内营养指南和应用规范尤为重要。     

吉林省五家中小医院胃肠病住院患者营养风险和营养不足发生率及营养支持状况

目的调查吉林省3个地区5家中小医院胃癌、结直肠癌（病组I）及胃肠溃疡、肠梗阻、克罗恩病（病组1／）两病组住院患者营养风险和营养不足发生率及营养支持状况。方法采用连续抽样方法选取吉林省长春地区、松原地区、白城地区等5家中小医院2010年5月至2013年3月普外科住院患者4330例,排除年龄〈18岁或〉80岁、住院时间不足24h或次日8时前手术、神志不清、拒绝参加本研究、不符合预定诊断的、符合预定诊断且未手术的病例后,筛选出诊断为胃结直肠癌、胃溃疡、肠梗阻、克罗恩病等患者687例,其中病组Ⅰ140例、病组Ⅱ547例,被纳入的患者入院后24h内利用营养风险筛查2002进行营养风险筛查,调查营养不足发生率并记录住院期间营养支持应用情况。结果两病组存在营养风险的患者为167例,营养风险发生率为24．3％;两病组存在营养风险的患者接受营养支持的占73．7％,未接受营养支持的占26．3％;无营养风险的患者为520例,接受营养支持的占8．8％,未接受营养支持的占91．2％。病组Ⅰ患者营养风险发生率占64．3％,病组Ⅱ营养风险发生率占14．1％,两组比较差异具有统计学意义（P=0．000）。687例患者中以体重指数〈18．5kg／m^2计算营养不足发生率为3．2％,而以营养状况评分≥3分计算营养不足发生率为8．3％,两组比较差异具有统计学意义（P=0．000）。结论5家中小医院符合纳人标准的患者营养风险总发生率为24．3％,营养不足的发生率为3．2％-8．3％,低于大医院的营养不足发生率。5家中小医院均应用肠外营养支持,尚未应用肠内营养和肠内肠外联合营养支持。     

Parenteral nutrition practices in hospital pharmacies in Switzerland, France, and Belgium

OBJECTIVE: Important changes in administering total parenteral nutrition (PN) admixtures have occurred over the past decade. This study describes hospital pharmacists' practices in France (F), Switzerland (CH), and Belgium (B). METHODS: From the responses received using a standardized questionnaire, (n = 378) we determined the origin, types of container used, and choice of PN formula (standard versus tailor-made) and the type of quality control and the existence of nutrition support teams. RESULTS: The mean response rates were 55.6% (CH), 30.5% (F), and 24.5% (B). Standard formulas were used mainly for adult patients (CH, 86%; F, 79%; B, 86%), whereas approximately 50% of tailor-made PN bags were used for children. Single-compartment or multicompartment bags or glass bottles contained standard formulas. Most standard formulas were provided by industry, apart from (B), where 50% of PN solutions were compounded by hospital pharmacies. Single-compartment bags contained generally tailor-made formulas produced exclusively by hospital pharmacies in (CH) and (B), whereas 33% were provided by industry in (F). Quality controls were mostly visual and occurred in 75% to 95% of hospitals. Nutrition support teams were present in 32% to 45% of hospitals. CONCLUSION: The choice, origin, and type of container used for PN formulas were highly variable among countries. However, the use of standard formulas in bags was predominant in (CH) and (B). The function of nutrition support teams was similar in (F), (CH), and (B).