PT58 - NUTRITIONAL CARE AND TREATMENT OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS: A MULTICENTER CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

PT58

NUTRITIONAL CARE AND TREATMENT OF HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS: A MULTICENTER CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

T. Munk^1,*, A. W. Rytter², I. Wessel² on behalf of Regional Nutritional Committee, Capital Region of Denmark

¹The Dietitian and Nutritional Research Unit, EATEN, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, ²Department of Clinical Nutrition, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

Rationale: Malnutrition is a major concern in hospitalized patients, impacting clinical outcomes and healthcare resources. This study assessed the prevalence of nutritional risk and malnutrition, documentation of nutritional risk and intake, and nutritional coverage in hospitalized at-risk patients.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2023 across six public hospitals, tax-financed, in the Capital Region of Denmark. Patients ≥18 years, hospitalized ≥ 4 days, were included, excluding those in intensive, palliative, emergency, or maternal wards. Data were collected through medical record reviews and healthcare staff consultations. Patients at nutrition risk according to NRS-2002 underwent a 24-h dietary recall, while malnutrition was determined using GLIM criteria. Muscle mass was evaluated via calf circumference, and p-CRP was measured to assess stress metabolism.

Results: A total of 571 patients were included, of these 60% were at nutritional risk, and 54% met GLIM criteria for malnutrition. Nutritional risk and nutritional requirements were documented in 70% and 55%, respectively. Energy and protein requirement were unmet in 60% and 67% of patients. Hospital performance varied significantly across the six hospitals: 70% vs. 25% (p<0.001) met energy requirements, and 51% vs. 14% (p<0.001) met protein requirements in the best- vs. worst-performing hospital. Only 14% received enteral or parenteral nutrition, yet all who did, achieve their nutritional requirements.

Conclusion: Significant gaps in nutritional care were identified across six hospitals, with many at-risk patients failing to meet energy and protein requirements. These findings highlight the need for a systematic approach to hospital-based nutritional management to ensure timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared