Variation in enteral nutrition delivery in mechanically ventilated patients

Descriptive and Content Analysis of Questionnaires Used to Assess Evidence-Based Practice Among Dietitians: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is described as the integration of the following 3 main dimensions in health professionals' decision making: best currently available research evidence, professional expertise, and patient's values and circumstances. Barriers to EBP at an individual level have been assessed using questionnaires. Knowing which EBP dimensions are actually explored in these questionnaires is essential to promote EBP and its adoption.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to identify and describe questionnaires that have been used among dietitians to evaluate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and/or behaviors related to EBP, and to perform a content analysis of these, drawn on the EBP dimensions explored.

METHODS

Questionnaires were identified through a systematic review in MEDLINE, Embase and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (last search was November 2022). Eligibility criteria were studies using, evaluating, or developing questionnaires meant to evaluate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and/or behaviors related to EBP among dietitians. The content analysis was conducted to identify the EBP dimensions explored (ie, research evidence, professional expertise, and/or patient's values and circumstances). Questionnaire items were categorized as follows: 1 sole EBP dimension, a combination of dimensions, or no identifiable dimension.

RESULTS

Thirty reports (25 studies) were included. The analysis of the 847 items extracted from the 25 questionnaires used showed that the main EBP dimension explored was the integration of research evidence into decision making, found in 75% of items, solely or in combination with another dimension. Professional expertise was explored in 18% of the items, patient's values and circumstances were found in 3%, and the combination of these 3 dimensions was found in <1%.

CONCLUSIONS

The important imbalance of explored EBP dimensions in the questionnaires used may lead to a partial and misleading evaluation that prevents efficient strategies to foster EBP. There is an important need to develop more integrative and accurate evaluations of EBP targeting dietitians to promote and develop high-quality dietetics practice.

Enteral nutrition interruptions in critically ill patients: A prospective study on reasons, frequency and duration of interruptions of nutritional support during ICU stay

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Enteral Nutrition (EN) may be interrupted due to various reasons in the setting of intensive care unit (ICU) care. This study aimed to investigate the reasons, frequency, and duration of EN interruptions in critically ill patients within the first 7 days of ICU stay.

METHODS

A total of 122 critically ill patients (median age: 63 years, 57% were males) initiating EN within the first 72 h of ICU admission and continued EN for at least 48 h during ICU stay were included in this observational prospective study conducted at a Medical ICU. Patients were followed for hourly energy intake as well as the frequency, reason, and duration of EN interruptions, for the first seven nutrition days of ICU stay or until death/discharge from ICU.

RESULTS

The median APACHE II score was 22 (IQR, 17-27). The per patient EN interruption frequency was 2.74 and the median total EN interruption duration was 960 (IQR, 105-1950) minutes. The most common reason for EN interruption was radiological procedures (91 episodes) and the longest duration of EN interruption was due to tube malfunctions (1230 min). Target energy intake were achieved on the 6th day at a maximum rate of 89.4%. Logistic regression showed that there was relationship between increased mortality and patients with ≥3 EN interruptions (OR: 6.73 (2.15-30.55), p = 0.004) after adjusting for confounding variables (age and APACHE II score). According to Kaplan Meier analysis, patients with ≥3 EN interruptions had significantly lower median survival times than patients with <3 EN interruptions (24.0 (95% CI 8.5-39.5) vs 18.0 (95% CI 13-23) days, p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

During the first week of EN support, the most common reason of EN interruptions was related to radiological procedures and the longest EN interruptions was due to feeding tube malfunctions. There was relationship between ≥3 EN interruptions and increased mortality.

Clinical outcomes and financial impacts of malnutrition in sepsis

BACKGROUND

In the United States in 2014 approximately 1.7 million adults were hospitalized with sepsis, resulting in about 270,000 deaths. Malnutrition in hospitalized patients contributes to increased morbidity, mortality, and costs, especially in the critically ill population.

AIM

Our goal was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition in sepsis and the impact it has on clinical and financial outcomes in our most critically ill patients.

METHODS

We implemented nutritional screening by a registered dietitian of 1000 patients admitted with sepsis to specialized care units. We calculated the prevalence of malnutrition, and compared outcomes including mortality, length of stay, and financial costs.

RESULTS

About 10% of patients with sepsis admitted to our specialized care units were diagnosed with malnutrition on admission after implementation of mandatory assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Although mortality did not reach statistical significance, these patients had more comorbidities, longer hospital stays, and higher total costs.

Predictors of 1-year mortality in patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation after surgery in intensive care unit: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study

Objectives

The requirement of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) is associated with increased medical care demand and expenses, high early and long-term mortality, and worse life quality. However, no study has assessed the prognostic factors associated with 1-year mortality among PMV patients, not less than 21 days after surgery. This study analyzed the predictors of 1-year mortality in patients requiring PMV in intensive care units (ICUs) after surgery.

Methods

In this multicenter, respective cohort study, 124 patients who required PMV after surgery in the ICUs of five tertiary hospitals in Beijing between January 2007 and June 2016 were enrolled. The primary outcome was the duration of survival within 1 year. Predictors of 1-year mortality were identified with a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. The predictive effect of the ProVent score was also validated.

Results

Of the 124 patients enrolled, the cumulative 1-year mortality was 74.2% (92/124). From the multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, cancer diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–3.35; P < 0.01), no tracheostomy (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.22–3.30; P < 0.01), enteral nutrition intolerance (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.19–2.97; P = 0.01), blood platelet count ≤150 × 10⁹/L (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.14–2.75; P = 0.01), requirement of vasopressors (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.13–2.80; P = 0.02), and renal replacement therapy (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.01–2.91; P = 0.047) on the 21st day of mechanical ventilation (MV) were associated with shortened 1-year survival.

Conclusions

For patients who required PMV after surgery, cancer diagnosis, no tracheostomy, enteral nutrition intolerance, blood platelet count ≤150 × 10⁹/L, vasopressor requirement, and renal replacement therapy on the 21st day of MV were associated with shortened 1-year survival. The prognosis in PMV patients in ICUs can facilitate the decision-making process of physicians and patients’ family members on treatment schedule.

A Quality Improvement Study: Comparison of Volume-Based and Rate-Based Tube Feeding Efficacy and Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients

BACKGROUND

Adequate nutrition (receiving ≥80% of estimated energy requirements [EER]) is important in preventing and treating malnutrition and improving clinical outcomes. In conventional rate-based tube feeding (RBTF), patients are prescribed a constant infusion rate. Per volume-based tube feeding (VBTF), the hourly infusion rate can be increased (max 150 mL/h) to make up for feeding deficits, ensuring patients receive the targeted 24-hour volume. This study compared clinical outcomes between patients on VBTF vs RBTF.

METHODS

Data were collected from medical charts of patients within a 5-month period. Inclusion criteria included patients ≥18 years of age who were admitted to an intensive care unit and receiving enteral nutrition for at least 24 hours.

RESULTS

More patients on VBTF (n = 77; 55.8% females, age 59.9 ± 18.1 years, body mass index [BMI] 29.7 ± 17.7 kg/m² ) received adequate nutrition (VBTF: 88.3%, 93.1 ± 11.3% EER; RBTF: 36.4%, 71.3 ± 35.8% EER) than those on RBTF (n = 206; 35.9% females, age 61 ± 15 years, BMI 28.3 ± 6.5 kg/m² ) during the first crucial 7 days of nutrition support. No significant differences in adverse outcomes (hyperglycemia P = 0.052, hypoglycemia P = 0.168, emesis P = 0.084, diarrhea P = 0.470, and high gastric output P = 0.096) were found between the groups.

CONCLUSION

VBTF can help promote nutrition adequacy. This study provides evidence for clinicians to be more proactive and aggressive in providing tube feeding in the critical care setting when patients are deemed appropriate for VBTF.

Knowledge Translation and Evidence-Based Practice: A Qualitative Study on Clinical Dietitians' Perceptions and Practices in Switzerland

BACKGROUND

Knowledge translation (KT) in health care is essential to promote quality of care and reduce the knowledge-to-practice gap. Little is known about KT among dietitians, and a better understanding of how this process pans out is fundamental to support their clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

To explore clinical dietitians' perceptions and practices concerning preferences and access to information sources in clinical practice, KT activities, research in nutrition and dietetics, and evidence-based practice (EBP).

DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, AND SETTING

Eight interviews and two focus groups involving a total of 15 participants were conducted in 2013 among members of the Swiss Association for Registered Dietitians in the French- and German-speaking regions of Switzerland.

ANALYSIS PERFORMED

Thematic analysis drawn from a constructivist grounded theory approach.

RESULTS

Information from colleagues and experts of the field were favored when facing unfamiliar situations in clinical practice. Critically selecting evidence-based information was considered challenging, but dietitians declared they were at ease to integrate patients' preferences and values, and their clinical expertise and judgment, in decision making, which are fundamental elements of EBP. A major reported barrier to KT was the perception that time to identify and read scientific literature was not expected during working hours and that instead, this time should be spent in clinical activities with patients. On the other hand, dietitians identified that their frequent involvement in educational activities such as knowledge dissemination or tailoring favored the integration of evidence into practice. Finally, dietitians struggled more to identify evidence-based information about counseling and communication than about biomedical knowledge.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietitians mentioned being involved in each step of the KT process (ie, synthesis, dissemination, exchange, and ethically sound application of knowledge). Barriers and facilitators identified in this study need to be explored in a larger population to develop strategies to facilitate KT and EBP in dietetics practice.

Effects of not monitoring gastric residual volume in intensive care patients: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Monitoring gastric residual volume has been a common practice in intensive care patients receiving enteral feeding worldwide. Recent studies though, have challenged the reliability and necessity of this routine monitoring process. Several studies even reported improvements in the delivery of enteral feeding without monitoring gastric residual volume, while incurring no additional adverse events. However, the benefit of monitoring gastric residual volume remains controversial in intensive care patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to identify the effects of not monitoring gastric residual volume in intensive care patients through a meta-analysis of the data pooled from published studies that meet our inclusion criteria.

DESIGN

A systematic review DATA SOURCES: An electronic search of Embase, Pubmed, and the Cochrane Library was completed up to April 2018. The data included basic population characteristics, related complications, mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit length of stay.

REVIEW METHODS

Eligibility and methodological quality of the studies were assessed by two researchers independently according to the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The Review Manager Software was used to calculate the pooled risk ratio (RR), weighted mean difference, and the corresponding 95% confidential interval (95% CI). Sensitivity analyses were done by excluding each study. Publication bias analyses were conducted to avoid the exaggerated effect of the overall estimates.

RESULTS

Five studies involving 998 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with monitoring gastric residual volume, not monitoring gastric residual volume decreased the rate of feeding intolerance in critically ill patients (RR = 0.61, 95%CI 0.51-0.72), and did not result in an increment in the rate of mortality (RR = 0.97, 95%CI 0.73-1.29, P = 0.84) or the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (RR = 1.03, 95%CI 0.74-1.44, P = 0.85). There were also no differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation (MD = 0.09, 95%CI, -0.99 to 1.16, P = 0.88) or intensive care unit length of stay (MD=-0.18, 95%CI, -1.52 to 1.17, P = 0.79).

CONCLUSION

Except for an increased risk of vomiting, the absence of monitoring gastric residual volume was not inferior to routine gastric residual volume monitoring in terms of feeding intolerance development, mortality, and ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care patients. There is encouraging evidence that not measuring gastric residual volume does not induce additional harm to the patients. More multicenter, randomized clinical trials are required to verify these findings.

Bedside electromagnetic-guided placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes among critically Ill patients: A single-centre randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

We aimed to compare the effectiveness of EM-guided and endoscopic nasoenteral feeding tube placement among critically ill patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a single-center, randomized controlled trial among 161 adult patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) requiring nasoenteral feeding. Patients were randomly assigned to EM-guided or endoscopic nasoenteral feeding tube placement (1:1). The primary end point was the total success rate of correct jejunal placement.

RESULTS

This was achieved in 74/81 and 76/80 patients who underwent EM-guided and endoscopic jejunal tube placements, respectively (91.4% vs. 95%; relative risk, 0.556; [CI], 0.156-1.980; P = 0.360). The EM-guided group had more placement attempts, longer placement time, and shorter inserted nasal intestinal tube length. However, they had shorter total placement procedure duration and physician's order-tube placement and order-start of feeding intervals. The EM-guided group had higher discomfort level and recommendation scores and lesser patient costs. This trial is registered at Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR-IOR-17011737).

CONCLUSION

Bedside EM-guided placement is as fast, safe, and successful as endoscopic placement and may be considered the preferred technique in critically ill patients.

Prevalence and duration of reasons for enteral nutrition feeding interruption in a tertiary intensive care unit

OBJECTIVES

Intensive care unit (ICU) enteral nutrition (EN) can involve frequent feeding interruption (FI). The prevalence, causes, and duration of such interruption were investigated.

METHODS

Reasons for EN FI identified from extensive literature review were prospectively collected in adult mechanically ventilated critically ill patients. Results were reported by descriptive statistics. Baseline and nutritional characteristics between patients who died and those alive at day 60 were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 148 patients receiving ≥1 day of EN for the full 12-day observational period were included in the analysis. About 332 episodes of EN FI were recorded and contributed to 12.8% (4190 hours) of the total 1367 evaluable nutrition days. For each patient, FI occurred for a median of 3 days and the total duration of FI for the entire ICU stay was 24.5 hours. Median energy and protein deficits per patient due to FI for the entire ICU stay were -1780.23 kcal and -100.58 g, respectively. Duration of FI, days with FI, and the amount of energy and protein deficits due to FI were not different between patients who had died and those who were still alive at day 60 (all P > 0.05). About 72% of the total duration of EN FI was due to procedural-related and potentially avoidable causes (primarily human factors), while only about 20% was due to feeding intolerances.

CONCLUSIONS

EN FI occurred primarily due to human factors, which may be minimized by adherence to an evidence-based feeding protocol as determined by a nutrition support team.

Partial enteral nutrition increases intestinal sIgA levels in mice undergoing parenteral nutrition in a dose-dependent manner

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Partial enteral nutrition (PEN) protects parenteral nutrition (PN) induced gut mucosal immunity impairment. However, the gastrointestinal function of most patients with PN is too poor to tolerate full dosage of PEN and no guidelines recommend PEN dose. We aimed to identify an optimal PEN dose and to understand the protective mechanism.

METHODS

Mice were assigned to groups with total parenteral nutrition (TPN), total enteral nutrition (TEN), or various degrees of PEN with PN. Additionally, AS1517499 was used to inhibit STAT6. Five days after treatment, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels of luminal washing fluid and JAK1-STAT6 signalling in ileum tissue of different groups were assessed.

RESULTS

We found that TPN lowered luminal sIgA and down-regulated pIgR, phosphorylated JAK1 and STAT6, IL-4 and IL-13 as well relative to TEN. Moreover, 40% EN were lowest dose that reversed these detrimental consequences of PN to an equivalent level as TEN. The rescue of pIgR and luminal sIgA expression was decreased when the JAK1-STAT6 pathway was inhibited.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that 40% EN is the optimal PEN dose that reverses PN-induced impairment of gut mucosal immunity. Additionally, we hypothesise that this benefit involves activation of the JAK1-STAT6 pathway.

Implementation of the Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nutrition Support: A Multiple Case Study of Barriers and Enablers

BACKGROUND

The Canadian Nutrition Support Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), published in 2003, were designed to improve nutrition support practices in intensive care units (ICUs). However, their impact to date has been modest. This study aimed to identify important barriers and enablers to implementation of these guidelines.

METHODS

Case studies were completed at 4 Canadian ICUs. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 7 key informants at each site. During the interviews, the key informants were asked about their perceptions of the barriers and enablers to implementation of the Canadian Nutrition Support CPGs. Interview transcripts were analyzed qualitatively, using a framework approach.

RESULTS

Resistance to change, lack of awareness, lack of critical care experience, clinical condition of the patient, resource constraints, a slow administrative process, workload, numerous guidelines, complex recommendations, paucity of evidence, and outdated guidelines were cited as the main barriers to guideline implementation. Agreement of the ICU team, easy access to the guidelines, ease of application, incorporation into daily routine, education and training, the dietitian as an opinion leader, and open discussion were identified as the primary enabling factors. Although consistent across all sites, the influence of these factors seemed to differ by site and profession.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that implementation of the Canadian Nutrition Support CPGs is profoundly complex and is determined by practitioner, patient, institutional, and guideline factors. Further research is required to quantify the impact of each barrier and enabler and the mechanism by which they influence guideline adherence.

Evaluation of current feeding practices in the critically ill: A retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, malnutrition is an important issue in the care of the critically ill which is associated with increased costs of care and poor patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the current state of enteral nutrition in the critically ill in the U.S. in comparison to international practices.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN

A retrospective chart audit was performed utilising a 10% random sample of patients admitted to the Pulmonary Medicine Service at an academic medical center in the U.S. from 1/1/11 to 12/31/11. A total of 69 charts were audited.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcome measures included time to initiation of feeds, prescribed versus received protein and energy on day three, prokinetic use and markers of nutritional status.

RESULTS

Delayed time to feeding, greater than 48hours after ICU admission, was present in 66.7% of the sample. On day three only 9% of the sample was receiving 80% or more of the prescribed protein or energy. These findings are similar to those found internationally.

CONCLUSION

Critically ill patients continue to experience delays in enteral feeding initiation and are frequently not meeting nutrition targets. Interventions aimed at improving nutrition delivery in the intensive care unit should be a focus of quality care both in the U.S. and internationally.

Acquired Muscle Weakness in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit

Muscle weakness is common in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU). Low muscle mass at ICU admission is a significant predictor of adverse outcomes. The consequences of ICU-acquired muscle weakness depend on the underlying mechanism. Temporary drug-induced weakness when properly managed may not affect outcome. Severe perioperative acquired weakness that is associated with adverse outcomes (prolonged mechanical ventilation, increases in ICU length of stay, and mortality) occurs with persistent (time frame: days) activation of protein degradation pathways, decreases in the drive to the skeletal muscle, and impaired muscular homeostasis. ICU-acquired muscle weakness can be prevented by early treatment of the underlying disease, goal-directed therapy, restrictive use of immobilizing medications, optimal nutrition, activating ventilatory modes, early rehabilitation, and preventive drug therapy. In this article, the authors review the nosology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention of ICU-acquired weakness in surgical ICU patients.

Enteral nutrition: what the dietitian prescribes is not what the burn patient gets!

Enteral nutrition (EN) is commonly interrupted in burn patients for many reasons, which leads to discrepancies between prescribed and actual EN delivery. The magnitude and origin of these discrepancies have never been well documented among burn patients. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between prescribed and actual EN delivery and to identify the specific causes of EN interruption and to quantify these. Retrospective review of patients treated between June 6, 2009 and June 6, 2012 at an adult regional American Burn Association-verified burn center who had ≥10% TBSA burns and who were prescribed EN for at least 24 hours. On postburn days (PBD) 0 to 14 the daily volume of EN prescribed by the dietitian was compared with the actual volume received by the patient. The cause and duration of interruptions to EN delivery were recorded. A total of 90 subjects, [mean (± SD) age 47 ± 18 years, 32% female, median %TBSA burn size 28, median %TBSA full-thickness burn size 11, and a 54% incidence of inhalation injury], were studied. EN was initiated at a median of 9.5 hours after burn center admission. Received calories were significantly less than prescribed calories on every study day. The median daily caloric deficit ranged between 172 and 930 kcal. The median percent of prescribed calories received each day ranged from 19% on PBD 0 to 91% on PBD 14. The mean (± SD) total duration of EN interruption was 8.9 ± 3.0 hours per day. Gradually increasing the feed rate to reach the prescribed EN goal rate ("ramping-in") was the most common cause of a discrepancy between prescribed and actual EN delivery, accounting for 35% of total discrepancy time. Interruptions for surgery accounted for 24% of total discrepancy time. Other causes of discrepancies were physician- or nurse-directed interruptions (16% of time), planned extubation (7%), feed intolerance (11%), tube malfunction (2%), bedside procedures (2%), and dressing changes (3%).Enterally fed burn patients received significantly less nutrition than prescribed. Some of the causes for discrepancies between prescribed and received EN are unavoidable, but many are not, suggesting the need for careful review and possible alteration of existing EN practices.

Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing the Feasibility of Shortened Fasts in Intubated ICU Patients Undergoing Tracheotomy

Objective

American Society of Anesthesiology guidelines recommend preoperative fasts of 6 hours after light snacks and 8 hours after large meals. These guidelines were designed for healthy patients undergoing elective procedures but are often applied to intubated intensive care unit (ICU) patients. ICU patients undergoing routine procedures may be subjected to unnecessary prolonged fasts. This study tests whether shorter fasts allow for better nutrition delivery and patient outcomes without increasing the risk.

Study Design

Randomized blinded controlled trial.

Setting

Tertiary academic medical center.

Subjects

ICU patients undergoing bedside tracheotomy.

Methods

Intubated ICU patients who were receiving enteral feeding and for whom bedside tracheotomy was indicated were enrolled prospectively and randomly allocated to 2 parallel preoperative fasting regimens: a 6-hour fast (control) and a 45-minute fast (intervention). Patients were assessed for aspiration, caloric delivery, metabolic markers, and infectious and noninfectious complications.

Results

Twenty-four patients were enrolled and randomized. There were no complications related to the procedure. There were no cases of intraoperative aspiration identified. There was a single postoperative pneumonia in the control group. Median (interquartile range) length of fast and caloric delivery were significantly different between the control group and the shortened fast group: 22 hours (18, 34) vs 14 hours (5, 25; P < .001) and 429 kcal (57, 1125) vs 1050 kcal (825, 1410; P = .01), respectively.

Conclusions

Shortening preoperative fasts in intubated ICU patients allowed for better caloric delivery in the preoperative period.

Enhanced Protein-Energy Provision via the Enteral Route in Critically Ill Patients (PEP uP Protocol): A Review of Evidence

Nutrition support is an integral part of care among critically ill patients. However, critically ill patients are commonly underfed, leading to consequences such as increased length of hospital and intensive care unit stay, time on mechanical ventilation, infectious complications, and mortality. Nevertheless, the prevalence of underfeeding has not resolved since the first description of this problem more than 15 years ago. This may be due to the traditional conservative feeding approaches. A novel feeding protocol (the Enhanced Protein-Energy Provision via the Enteral Route Feeding Protocol in Critically Ill Patients [PEP uP] protocol) was proposed and proven to improve feeding adequacy significantly. However, some of the components in the protocol are controversial and subject to debate. This article is a review of the supporting evidences and some of the controversy associated with each component of the PEP uP protocol.

Interruptions in enteral nutrition delivery in critically ill patients and recommendations for clinical practice

Malnutrition is common in critically ill patients and is associated with poor outcomes for patients and increased health care spending. Enteral nutrition is the method of choice for nutrition delivery. Enteral nutrition delivery practices vary widely, and underfeeding is widespread in critical care. Interruptions in enteral nutrition due to performance of procedures, positioning, technical issues with feeding accesses, and gastrointestinal intolerance contribute to underfeeding. Strategies such as head-of-bed positioning, use of prokinetic agents, tolerance of higher gastric residual volumes, consideration of postpyloric feeding access, and use of a nutrition support protocol may decrease time spent without nutrition.

Malnutrition in the ICU patient population

Malnutrition has been identified as a cause for disease as well as a condition resulting from inflammation associated with acute or chronic disease. Malnutrition is common in acute-care settings, occurring in 30% to 50% of hospitalized patients. Inflammation has been associated with malnutrition and malnutrition has been associated with compromised immune status, infection, and increased intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay. The ICU nurse is in the best position to advocate for appropriate nutritional therapies and facilitate the safe delivery of nutrition.

Partial Enteral Nutrition Preserves Elements of Gut Barrier Function, Including Innate Immunity, Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase (IAP) Level, and Intestinal Microbiota in Mice

Lack of enteral nutrition (EN) during parenteral nutrition (PN) leads to higher incidence of infection because of gut barrier dysfunction. However, the effects of partial EN on intestina linnate immunity, intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) and microbiota remain unclear. The mice were randomized into six groups to receive either standard chow or isocaloric and isonitrogenous nutritional support with variable partial EN to PN ratios. Five days later, the mice were sacrificed and tissue samples were collected. Bacterial translocation, the levels of lysozyme, mucin 2 (MUC2), and IAP were analyzed. The composition of intestinal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA pyrosequencing. Compared with chow, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) resulted in a dysfunctional mucosal barrier, as evidenced by increased bacterial translocation (p < 0.05), loss of lysozyme, MUC2, and IAP, and changes in the gut microbiota (p < 0.001). Administration of 20% EN supplemented with PN significantly increased the concentrations of lysozyme, MUC2, IAP, and the mRNA levels of lysozyme and MUC2 (p < 0.001). The percentages of Bacteroidetes and Tenericutes were significantly lower in the 20% EN group than in the TPN group (p < 0.001). These changes were accompanied by maintained barrier function in bacterial culture (p < 0.05). Supplementation of PN with 20% EN preserves gut barrier function, by way of maintaining innate immunity, IAP and intestinal microbiota.

Revised Questionnaire to Assess Barriers to Adequate Nutrition in the Critically Ill

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to revise and improve a questionnaire to assess barriers to providing adequate enteral nutrition (EN) in critically ill adults.

METHODS

Changes were made to the questionnaire based on feedback from previous respondents. The revised questionnaire, including 20 potential barriers, was pilot tested in 3 hospitals in North America. Nurses were asked to rate each item based on the degree to which it hinders the provision of EN in their intensive care unit (ICU). The acceptability of the revised questionnaire was evaluated using 5 open-ended questions appended at the end of the questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 81 nurses completed the revised barriers questionnaire. A total of 72 of 73 (99%) respondents felt that the questionnaire was easy to understand, and 64 of 73 (88%) felt that the individual questions were clear. On average, respondents rated the degree to which potential barriers hindered the delivery of EN to the patient as "very little" or "a little." Statistically significantly differences in mean responses were observed across the 3 ICUs for 8 of the 20 items. The indices of internal reliability were assessed to be acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

The revised questionnaire to assess barriers to EN seems acceptable and clinically sensible and now appears to comprehensively list all possible modifiable barriers to delivering EN. This questionnaire needs further study to determine whether measuring barriers with this questionnaire can translate into improved EN delivery to critically ill patients.

Aspiration and evaluation of gastric residuals in the neonatal intensive care unit: state of the science

The routine aspiration of gastric residuals (GR) is considered standard care for critically ill infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Unfortunately, scant information exists regarding the risks and benefits associated with this common procedure. This article provides the state of the science regarding what is known about the routine aspiration and evaluation of GRs in the NICU focusing on the following issues: (1) the use of GRs for verification of feeding tube placement, (2) GRs as an indicator of gastric contents, (3) GRs as an indicator of feeding intolerance or necrotizing enterocolitis, (4) the association between GR volume and ventilator-associated pneumonia, (5) whether GRs should be discarded or refed, (6) the definition of an abnormal GR, and (7) the potential risks associated with aspiration and evaluation of GRs. Recommendations for further research and practice guidelines are also provided.

Evaluation of delivery of enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated Malaysian ICU patients

BACKGROUND

There are numerous challenges in providing nutrition to the mechanically ventilated critically ill ICU patient. Understanding the level of nutritional support and the barriers to enteral feeding interruption in mechanically ventilated patients are important to maximise the nutritional benefits to the critically ill patients. Thus, this study aims to evaluate enteral nutrition delivery and identify the reasons for interruptions in mechanically ventilated Malaysian patients receiving enteral feeding.

METHODS

A cross sectional prospective study of 77 consecutive patients who required mechanical ventilation and were receiving enteral nutrition was done in an open 14-bed intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. Data were collected prospectively over a 3 month period. Descriptive statistical analysis were made with respect to demographical data, time taken to initiate feeds, type of feeds, quantification of feeds attainment, and reasons for feed interruptions. There are no set feeding protocols in the ICU. The usual initial rate of enteral nutrition observed in ICU was 20 ml/hour, assessed every 6 hours and the decision was made thereafter to increase feeds. The target calorie for each patient was determined by the clinician alongside the dietitian. The use of prokinetic agents was also prescribed at the discretion of the attending clinician and is commonly IV metoclopramide 10 mg three times a day.

RESULTS

About 66% of patients achieved 80% of caloric requirements within 3 days of which 46.8% achieved full feeds in less than 12 hours. The time to initiate feeds for patients admitted into the ICU ranged from 0 - 110 hours with a median time to start feeds of 15 hours and the interquartile range (IQR) of 6-59 hours. The mean time to achieve at least 80% of nutritional target was 1.8 days ± 1.5 days. About 79% of patients experienced multiple feeding interruptions. The most prevalent reason for interruption was for procedures (45.1%) followed by high gastric residual volume (38.0%), diarrhoea (8.4%), difficulty in nasogastric tube placement (5.6%) and vomiting (2.9%).

CONCLUSION

Nutritional inadequacy in mechanically ventilated Malaysian patients receiving enteral nutrition was not as common as expected. However, there is still room for improvement with regards to decreasing the number of patients who did not achieve their caloric requirement throughout their stay in the ICU.

International observational study of nutritional support in mechanically ventilated patients following burn injury

INTRODUCTION

It has been proposed that nutritional therapy in critically ill patients after major burn reduces mortality. However, the actual practice of nutrient delivery, and the effect on outcome, has not been described.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To evaluate international practices related to nutritional support and outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with burn injury.

METHODS

Data from the International Nutrition Surveys (2007-2011) for patients with a primary diagnosis of burn were extracted and analysed.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight of 90 patients (aged 16-84 years) received enteral nutrition. The median time for initiation of enteral feeding was 17 h [range 0-65]. Fifty patients (57%) had interruptions to nutrient delivery, most often these interruptions were fasting for operative procedures. There were substantive energy and protein deficits [943 (654) kcal/day and 49 (41) g/day, respectively; mean (SD)]. Nineteen (21%) patients died within 60 days of admission, and the energy and protein deficits were greater in those that died compared with survivors [died vs. survived, energy: 1251 (742) vs. 861 (607) kcal/d; p=0.02; and protein 67(42) vs. 44(39) g/d; p=0.03]. Energy and protein deficits were associated with increased mortality with the greater the deficit, the stronger the association with death (odds ratio for death: energy deficit/100 kcal 1.10 (1.01, 1.19); p=0.028 and protein/10 g 1.16 (1.01, 1.33); p=0.037). Results were similar and remained significant after adjusting for severity of illness.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanically ventilated patients following burn develop substantial energy and protein deficits, with lesser deficits observed in survivors.

Targeted Physician Education Positively Affects Delivery of Nutrition Therapy and Patient Outcomes: Results of a Prospective Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is a continuing epidemic among hospitalized patients. We hypothesize that targeted physician education should help reduce caloric deficits and improve patient outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective trial of patients (n = 121) assigned to 1 of 2 trauma groups. The experimental group (EG) received targeted education consisting of strategies to increase delivery of early enteral nutrition. Strategies included early enteral access, avoidance of nil per os (NPO) and clear liquid diets (CLD), volume-based feeding, early resumption of feeds postprocedure, and charting caloric deficits. The control group (CG) did not receive targeted education but was allowed to practice in a standard ad hoc fashion. Both groups were provided with dietitian recommendations on a multidisciplinary nutrition team per standard practice.

RESULTS

The EG received a higher percentage of measured goal calories (30.1 ± 18.5%, 22.1 ± 23.7%, P = .024) compared with the CG. Mean caloric deficit was not significantly different between groups (-6796 ± 4164 kcal vs -8817 ± 7087 kcal, P = .305). CLD days per patient (0.1 ± 0.5 vs 0.6 ± 0.9), length of stay in the intensive care unit (3.5 ± 5.5 vs 5.2 ± 6.8 days), and duration of mechanical ventilation (1.6 ± 3.7 vs 2.8 ± 5.0 days) were all reduced in the EG compared with the CG (P < .05). EG patients had fewer nosocomial infections (10.6% vs 23.6%) and less organ failure (10.6% vs 18.2%) than did the CG, but these differences did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Implementation of specific educational strategies succeeded in greater delivery of nutrition therapy, which favorably affected patient care and outcomes.

Nutrition support protocols and their influence on the delivery of enteral nutrition: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition remains prevalent in critically ill adults and is associated with poor outcomes and increased cost of hospitalization.

AIM

To (a) determine whether implementation of a nutrition support protocol improves delivery of nutrients in critically ill patients, and (b) evaluate whether patients receiving nutrition support based on a protocol have better outcomes than those who do not.

METHODS

CINHAL and PUBMED databases were searched utilizing keywords "model," "nutrition," intensive care," "algorithm," "critical care," "protocol," and "feeding guidelines." Selection criteria included original studies published in English with publication date between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2010; a critically ill adult population; and level 1 or 2 studies. Studies were collected and reviewed by a single reviewer. Data extraction and quality assessment were assured utilizing a standardized form. A narrative description of results was provided due to variability in methods and outcome measures of included studies.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine studies emerged and 22 studies were considered for inclusion. Four studies were selected. Use of a nutrition support protocol was found to lead to increased efficacy in the delivery of nutrients via the enteral route.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

The use of a nutrition support protocol appears to increase the efficacy of enteral nutrition delivery. Further research is needed to determine the effect of increased enteral nutrition adequacy on patient outcomes. The use of an evidenced-based protocol is recommended to improve protein and energy delivery in the critically ill.

Early enteral nutrition prevents intra-abdominal hypertension and reduces the severity of severe acute pancreatitis compared with delayed enteral nutrition: a prospective pilot study

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effects of early enteral nutrition (EEN) on intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and disease severity in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODS

Enteral nutrition (EN) was started within 48 h after admission in the EEN group and from the 8th day in the delayed enteral nutrition (DEN) group. The IAP and intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) incidence were recorded for 2 weeks. The caloric intake and feeding intolerance (FI) incidence were recorded daily after EN was started. The severity markers and clinical outcome variables were also recorded.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were enrolled to this study. No difference about IAP was found. The IAH incidence of the EEN group was significantly lower than that of the DEN group from the 9th day (8/30 versus 18/30; P = 0.009) after admission. The FI incidence of the EEN group was higher than that of the DEN group during the initial 3 days of feeding (25/30 versus 12/30; P = 0.001; 22/30 versus 9/30; P = 0.001; 15/30 versus 4/30; P = 0.002). Patients with an IAP <15 mmHg had lower FI incidence than those with an IAP ≥15 mmHg on the 1st day (20/22 versus 17/38; P < 0.001), the 3rd day (11/13 versus 8/47; P < 0.001), and the 7th day (3/5 versus 3/55; P = 0.005) of feeding. The severity markers and clinical outcome variables of the EEN group were significantly improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Early enteral nutrition did not increase IAP. In contrast, it might prevent the development of IAH. In addition, EEN might be not appropriate during the initial 3-4 days of SAP onset. Moreover, EN might be of benefit to patients with an IAP <15 mmHg. Early enteral nutrition could improve disease severity and clinical outcome, but did not decrease mortality of SAP.

Implementing a multifaceted tailored intervention to improve nutrition adequacy in critically ill patients: results of a multicenter feasibility study

Introduction

Tailoring interventions to address identified barriers to change may be an effective strategy to implement guidelines and improve practice. However, there is inadequate data to inform the optimal method or level of tailoring. Consequently, we conducted the PERFormance Enhancement of the Canadian nutrition guidelines by a Tailored Implementation Strategy (PERFECTIS) study to determine the feasibility of a multifaceted, interdisciplinary, tailored intervention aimed at improving adherence to critical care nutrition guidelines for the provision of enteral nutrition.

Methods

A before-after study was conducted in seven ICUs from five hospitals in North America. During a 3-month pre-implementation phase, each ICU completed a nutrition practice audit to identify guideline-practice gaps and a barriers assessment to identify obstacles to practice change. During a one day meeting, the results of the audit and barriers assessment were reviewed and used to develop a site-specific tailored action plan. The tailored action plan was then implemented over a 12-month period that included bi-monthly progress meetings. Compliance with the tailored action plan was determined by the proportion of items in the action plan that was completely implemented. We examined acceptability of the intervention through staff responses to an evaluation questionnaire. In addition, the nutrition practice audit and barriers survey were repeated at the end of the implementation phase to determine changes in barriers and nutrition practices.

Results

All five sites successfully completed all aspects of the study. However, their ability to fully implement all of their developed action plans varied from 14% to 75% compliance. Nurses, on average, rated the study-related activities and resources as ‘somewhat useful’ and a third of respondents ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that their nutrition practice had changed as a result of the intervention. We observed a statistically significant 10% (Site range -4.3% to -26.0%) decrease in overall barriers score, and a non-significant 6% (Site range -1.5% to 17.9%) and 4% (-8.3% to 18.2%) increase in the adequacy of total nutrition from calories and protein, respectively.

Conclusions

The multifaceted tailored intervention appears to be feasible but further refinement is warranted prior to testing the effectiveness of the approach on a larger scale.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01168128. Registered 21 July 2010.

The validation of a questionnaire to assess barriers to enteral feeding in critically ill patients: a multicenter international survey

Background

A growing body of literature supports the need to identify and address barriers to knowledge use as a strategy to improve care delivery. To this end, we developed a questionnaire to assess barriers to enterally feeding critically ill adult patients, and sought to gain evidence to support the construct validity of this instrument by testing the hypothesis that barriers identified by the questionnaire are inversely associated with nutrition performance.

Methods

We conducted a multilevel multivariable regression analysis of data from an observational study in 55 Intensive Care Units (ICUs) from 5 geographic regions. Data on nutrition practices were abstracted from 1153 patient charts, and 1439 critical care nurses completed the ‘Barriers to Enterally Feeding critically Ill Patients’ questionnaire. Our primary outcome was adequacy of calories from enteral nutrition (proportion of prescribed calories received enterally) and our primary predictor of interest was a barrier score derived from ratings of importance of items in the questionnaire.

Results

The mean adequacy of calories from enteral nutrition was 48 (Standard Deviation (SD)17)%. Evaluation for confounding identified patient type, proportion of nurse respondents working in the ICU greater than 5 years, and geographic region as important covariates. In a regression model adjusting for these covariates plus evaluable nutrition days and APACHE II score, we observed that a 10 point increase in overall barrier score is associated with a 3.5 (Standard Error (SE)1.3)% decrease in enteral nutrition adequacy (p-values <0.01).

Conclusion

Our results provide evidence to support our a priori hypothesis that barriers negatively impact the provision of nutrition in ICUs, suggesting that our recently developed questionnaire may be a promising tool to identify these important factors, and guide the selection of interventions to optimize nutrition practice. Further research is required to illuminate if and how the type of barrier, profession of the provider, and geographic location of the hospital may influence this association.

Critical care 24 × 7: But, why is critical nutrition interrupted?

Background and Aims:

Adequate nutritional support is crucial in prevention and treatment of malnutrition in critically ill-patients. Despite the intention to provide appropriate enteral nutrition (EN), meeting the full nutritional requirements can be a challenge due to interruptions. This study was undertaken to determine the cause and duration of interruptions in EN.

Materials and Methods:

Patients admitted to a multidisciplinary critical care unit (CCU) of a tertiary care hospital from September 2010 to January 2011 and who received EN for a period >24 h were included in this observational, prospective study. A total of 327 patients were included, for a total of 857 patient-days. Reasons and duration of EN interruptions were recorded and categorized under four groups-procedures inside CCU, procedures outside CCU, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and others.

Results:

Procedure inside CCU accounted for 55.9% of the interruptions while GI symptoms for 24.2%. Although it is commonly perceived that procedures outside CCU are the most common reason for interruption, this contributed only to 18.4% individually; ventilation-related procedures were the most frequent cause (40.25%), followed by nasogastric tube aspirations (15.28%). Although GI bleed is often considered a reason to hold enteral feed, it was one of the least common reasons (1%) in our study. Interruption of 2-6 h was more frequent (43%) and most of this (67.1%) was related to “procedures inside CCU”.

Conclusion:

Awareness of reasons for EN interruptions will aid to modify protocol and minimize interruptions during procedures in CCU to reach nutrition goals.

Development and psychometric properties of a questionnaire to assess barriers to feeding critically ill patients

Background

To successfully implement the recommendations of critical care nutrition guidelines, one potential approach is to identify barriers to providing optimal enteral nutrition (EN) in the intensive care unit (ICU), and then address these barriers systematically. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire to assess barriers to enterally feeding critically ill patients and to conduct preliminary validity testing of the new instrument.

Methods

The content of the questionnaire was guided by a published conceptual framework, literature review, and consultation with experts. The questionnaire was pre-tested on a convenience sample of 32 critical care practitioners, and then field tested with 186 critical care providers working at 5 hospitals in North America. The revised questionnaire was pilot tested at another ICU (n = 43). Finally, the questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of ICU nurses twice, two weeks apart, to determine test retest reliability (n = 17). Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach alpha, intraclass correlations (ICC), and kappa coefficients were conducted to assess validity and reliability.

Results

We developed a questionnaire with 26 potential barriers to delivery of EN asking respondents to rate their importance as barriers in their ICU. Face and content validity of the questionnaire was established through literature review and expert input. The factor analysis indicated a five-factor solution and accounted for 72% of the variance in barriers: guideline recommendations and implementation strategies, delivery of EN to the patient, critical care provider attitudes and behavior, dietitian support, and ICU resources. Overall, the indices of internal reliability for the derived factor subscales and the overall instrument were acceptable (subscale Cronbach alphas range 0.84 – 0.89). However, the test retest reliability was variable and below acceptable thresholds for the majority of items (ICC’s range −0.13 to 0.70). The within group agreement, an indices reflecting the reliability of aggregating individual responses to the ICU level was also variable (ICC’s range 0.0 to 0.82).

Conclusions

We developed a questionnaire to identify barriers to enteral feeding in critically ill patients. Additional studies are planned to further revise and evaluate the reliability and validity of the instrument.

Protein/energy debt in critically ill children in the pediatric intensive care unit: acute kidney injury as a major risk factor

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients. In this clinical setting, the risk of protein-energy wasting is high because of the metabolic derangements of the uremic syndrome, the difficulties in nutrient needs estimation, and the possible negative effects of renal replacement therapy itself on nutrient balance. No specific guidelines on nutritional support in PICU patients with AKI are currently available. The present review is aimed at evaluating the role of AKI as a risk condition for inadequate protein/energy intake in these patients, on the basis of literature data on quantitative aspects of nutritional support in PICU. Current evidence suggests that a relevant protein/energy debt, a widely accepted concept in the literature on adult intensive care unit patients with its negative implications for patients' major outcomes, is also likely to develop in pediatric critically ill patients, and that AKI represents a key factor for its development.

Nurse to bed ratio and nutrition support in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND

Inadequate nutrition support is common among critically ill patients, and identification of risk factors for such inadequacy might help in improving nutrition support.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how often daily calorie goals are met and the factors responsible for inadequate nutrition support. Methods A single-center prospective cohort study. Each patient's demographic and clinical characteristics, the need for ventilatory support, the use and dosage of medications, the number of nursing staff per bed, the time elapsed from admission to the intensive care unit until the effective start of enteral feeding, and the causes for nonadministration were recorded. Achievement of daily calorie goals was determined and correlated with risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 262 daily evaluations were done in 40 patients. Daily calorie goal was achieved in only 46.2% of the evaluations (n = 121), with a mean of 74.8% of the prescribed volume of enteral nutrition infused daily. Risk factors for inadequate nutrition support were the use of midazolam (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.18-2.11) and fewer nursing professionals per bed (odds ratio, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.43-4.57). Conclusion Achievement of daily calorie goals was inadequate, and the main factors associated with this failure were the use and dosage of midazolam and the number of nurses available.

Protein-calorie adequacy of enteral nutrition therapy in surgical patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the protein-calorie adequacy of enteral nutrition therapy (ENT) in surgical patients.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed in surgical patients who received ENT from March to October 2011. Patients were evaluated anthropometrically and by subjective global assessment (SGA). The amount of calories and protein prescribed and administered were recorded daily, as well as the causes of discontinuation of the diet. A 90% value was used as the adequacy reference. The difference between the prescribed and administered amount was verified by Student's t-test.

RESULTS

A sample of 32 patients, aged 55.8 ± 14.9 years, showed a malnutrition rate of 40.6% to 71.9%, depending on the assessment tool used. Gastric cancer and gastrectomy were the most common diagnosis and surgery, respectively. Of the patients, 50% were able to meet their caloric and protein needs. The adequacy of the received diet in relation to the prescribed one was 88.9 ± 12.1% and 87.9 ± 12.2% for calories and proteins, respectively, with a significant difference (p < 0.0001) of 105.9 kcal/day and 5.5 g protein/day. 59.4% of the patients had adequate caloric intake and 56.2% had adequate protein intake. Causes of diet suspension occurred in 81.3%, with fasting for procedures (84.6%) and nausea/vomiting (38.5%) being the most frequently observed causes in pre- and postoperative periods, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Inadequate caloric and protein intake was common, which can be attributed to complications and diet suspensions during ENT, which may have hampered the sample reached their nutritional needs. This may contribute to the decline in the nutritional status of surgical patients, who often have impaired nutrition, as observed in this study.

Enteral nutritional intake in adult korean intensive care patients

BACKGROUND

Nutritional support is important for maximizing clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, but enteral nutritional intake is often inadequate.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the nutritional intake of energy and protein during the first 4 days after initiation of enteral feeding and to examine the relationship between intake and interruptions of enteral feeding in Korean patients in intensive care.

METHODS

A cohort of 34 critically ill adults who had a primary medical diagnosis and received bolus enteral feeding were studied prospectively. Energy and protein requirements were determined by using the Harris-Benedict equation and the American Dietetic Association equation. Energy and protein intake prescribed and received and the reasons for and lengths of feeding interruptions were recorded for 4 consecutive days immediately after enteral feeding began.

RESULTS

Although the differences between requirements and intakes of energy and protein decreased significantly, patients did not receive required energy and protein intake during the 4 days of the study. Energy intake prescribed was consistently less than required on each of the 4 days. Enteral nutrition was withheld for a mean of 6 hours per patient for the 4 days. Prolonged feeding interruptions due to gastrointestinal intolerance (r= -0.874; P < .001) and procedures (r= -0.839; P = .005) were negatively associated with the percentage of prescribed energy received.

CONCLUSIONS

Enteral nutritional intake was insufficient in bolus-fed Korean intensive care patients because of prolonged feeding interruptions and underprescription of enteral nutrition. Feeding interruptions due to gastrointestinal intolerance and procedures were the main contributors to inadequate energy intake.

Enteral nutrition in critical care

There is a consensus that nutritional support, which must be provided to patients in intensive care, influences their clinical outcome. Malnutrition is associated in critically ill patients with impaired immune function and impaired ventilator drive, leading to prolonged ventilator dependence and increased infectious morbidity and mortality. Enteral nutrition is an active therapy that attenuates the metabolic response of the organism to stress and favorably modulates the immune system. It is less expensive than parenteral nutrition and is preferred in most cases because of less severe complications and better patient outcomes, including infections, and hospital cost and length of stay. The aim of this work was to perform a review of the use of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients.

A multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing early nasojejunal with nasogastric nutrition in critical illness

OBJECTIVE

Current guidelines recommend enteral nutrition in critically ill adults; however, poor gastric motility often prevents nutritional targets being met. We hypothesized that early nasojejunal nutrition would improve the delivery of enteral nutrition.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

SETTING

Seventeen multidisciplinary, closed, medical/surgical, intensive care units in Australia.

PATIENTS

One hundred and eighty-one mechanically ventilated adults who had elevated gastric residual volumes within 72 hrs of intensive care unit admission.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly assigned to receive early nasojejunal nutrition delivered via a spontaneously migrating frictional nasojejunal tube, or to continued nasogastric nutrition.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was the proportion of the standardized estimated energy requirement that was delivered as enteral nutrition. Secondary outcomes included incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and in-hospital mortality rate. There were 92 patients assigned to early nasojejunal nutrition and 89 to continued nasogastric nutrition. Baseline characteristics were similar. Nasojejunal tube placement into the small bowel was confirmed in 79 (87%) early nasojejunal nutrition patients after a median of 15 (interquartile range 7-32) hrs. The proportion of targeted energy delivered from enteral nutrition was 72% for the early nasojejunal nutrition and 71% for the nasogastric nutrition group (mean difference 1%, 95% confidence interval -3% to 5%, p=.66). Rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (20% vs. 21%, p=.94), vomiting, witnessed aspiration, diarrhea, and mortality were similar. Minor, but not major, gastrointestinal hemorrhage was more common in the early nasojejunal nutrition group (12 [13%] vs. 3 [3%], p=.02).

CONCLUSIONS

In mechanically ventilated patients with mildly elevated gastric residual volumes and already receiving nasogastric nutrition, early nasojejunal nutrition did not increase energy delivery and did not appear to reduce the frequency of pneumonia. The rate of minor gastrointestinal hemorrhage was increased. Routine placement of a nasojejunal tube in such patients is not recommended.

Intensive medical nutrition therapy: methods to improve nutrition provision in the critical care setting

Patients requiring mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit commonly fail to attain enteral nutrition (EN) infusion goals. We conducted a cohort study to quantify and compare the percentage of energy and protein received between standard care (n=24) and intensive medical nutrition therapy (MNT) (n=25) participants; to assess the percentage of energy and protein received varied by nutritional status, and to identify barriers to EN provision. Intensive MNT entailed providing energy at 150% of estimated needs, using only 2.0 kcal/cc enteral formula and 24-hour infusions. Estimated energy and protein needs were calculated using 30 kcal/kg and 1.2 g protein/kg actual or obesity-adjusted admission body weight. Subjective global assessment was completed to ascertain admission intensive care unit nutritional status. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses were conducted to examine time until attaining 100% of feeding targets. Patients had similar estimated energy and protein needs, and 51% were admitted with both respiratory failure and classified as normally nourished (n=25/49). Intensive MNT recipients achieved a greater percentage of daily estimated energy and protein needs than standard care recipients (1,198±493 vs 475±480 kcal, respectively, P<0.0001; and 53±25 vs 29±32 g, respectively, P=0.007) despite longer intensive care unit stays. Cox proportional hazards models showed that intensive MNT patients were 6.5 (95% confidence interval 2.1 to 29.0) and 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 15.9) times more likely to achieve 100% of estimated energy and protein needs, respectively, controlling for confounders. Malnourished patients (n=13) received significantly less energy (P=0.003) and protein (P=0.004) compared with normally nourished (n=11) patients receiving standard care. Nutritional status did not affect feeding intakes in the intensive MNT group. Clinical management, lack of physician orders, and gastrointestinal issues involving ileus, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and EN delivery were the most frequent clinical impediments to EN provision. It was concluded that intensive MNT could achieve higher volumes of EN infusion, regardless of nutritional status. Future studies are needed to advance this methodology and to assess its influence on outcomes.