P701 - NUTRITIONAL RISK AND DEHYDRATION IN OLDER ADULTS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON DETECTION, TREATMENT, AND FOLLOW-UP

P701

NUTRITIONAL RISK AND DEHYDRATION IN OLDER ADULTS IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON DETECTION, TREATMENT, AND FOLLOW-UP

M. K. Nielsen^1,*, E. D. M. Pedersen¹, A. W. Knudsen¹, T. Munk¹, A. M. Beck¹

¹The Dietitians and Nutritional Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital - Herlev and Gentofte, Herlev, Denmark

Rationale: The prevalence of dehydration and malnutrition among older adults in the emergency department (ED) is high. No studies have examined the effects of nutritional interventions initiated in this setting. The primary aim of this study was to conduct a feasibility study on detection, treatment, and follow-up of older adults at risk. The secondary aim was to gain an indication of whether the intervention had an effect.

Methods: The study was conducted in collaboration with four municipalities. Older adults at nutritional risk (NRS 2002 ≥3) and/or dehydrated (calculated osmolality >295 mmol/L) were offered nutritional treatment, initiated in the ED and followed up in the municipality for 30 days. The primary outcomes were the proportion of patients meeting the inclusion criteria, agreeing to participate, and completing the nutritional treatment. Secondary outcomes were energy, protein, and fluid intake, self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale), quality of life (EuroQol EQ-5D-5L), hospital readmissions, and 30-day mortality.

Results: A total of 326 patients were screened, of whom 314 (96%) met the inclusion criteria (at nutritional risk or dehydrated). 58% of those invited agreed to participate, and 90% of these completed the nutritional treatment. From baseline to study completion, there was a significant increase in energy intake (p=0.0012), protein intake (p=0.0002), fluid intake (p=0.0040), self-efficacy (p=0.0498), and quality of life (p=0.0007). The readmission rate was 19% and the 30-day mortality rate was 7%.

Conclusion: The detection, treatment and follow-up of nutritional risk and dehydration in older patients in the ED was proven to be feasible in relation to eligibility, recruitment, and retention. The results suggest that the intervention had a positive impact on energy, protein, and fluid intake, self-efficacy, and quality of life.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared