MEDPass versus conventional administration of oral nutritional supplements - A randomized controlled trial comparing coverage of energy and protein requirements.

Background & Aims: The use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in the hospital setting is important to reach individual protein and energy goals in patients at risk for malnutrition. Compliance with ONS can be challenging but may be improved by prescribing ONS in smaller portions with medication rounds (MEDPass). We compared the likelihood of meeting energy and protein requirements in patients receiving ONS with MEDPass versus conventional ONS administration.

Energy and protein intake in medical and geriatric inpatients with MEDPass versus conventional administration of oral nutritional supplements: study protocol for the randomized controlled MEDPass Trial.

Background: Disease-related malnutrition is highly prevalent in hospitalized medical and geriatric inpatients. It is associated with negative outcomes such as muscle wasting, decline of functional status, and increased morbidity and mortality. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are frequently used in nutritional therapy to increase intake.

[Malnutrition in the era of DRG].

Malnutrition in hospital patients is of important medical and economic significance. The adverse consequences of malnutrition on quality of life and many more factors such as morbidity, mortality, tolerance of treatments and length of hospital stay are well documented in the medical literature. Nevertheless, the effects of malnutrition are still often underestimated and hence malnutrition is not recognised as a distinct diagnosis.

An European survey of structure and organisation of nutrition support teams in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Background & Aims: Nutritional support teams (NST) have been demonstrated to be an excellent mechanism for identifying patients in need of nutrition support, improving the efficacy of nutrition support in a variety of hospital environments. Focus of this study was the investigation of function, structure and organisation of NST in Germany (D), Austria (A) and Switzerland (CH).

Methods: Prospective investigation of the function, structure and organisation of NST in D, A and CH, using standardised questionnaires.

Hospital food: a survey of patients' perceptions.

Background & Aims: Most hospitalised patients are dependent on hospital food for their nutritional requirements. We surveyed hospitalised patients to obtain their opinions of hospital food in order to improve menu planning and food delivery.

Methods: Three hundred and seventeen questionnaires were distributed to patients on an oral diet in two Swiss hospitals.