P236 - NUTRITIONAL CONTINUITY WITH A CLICK : CREATING A DIGITAL TOOL FOR TRANSFERRING INFORMATION BETWEEN DIETITIANS, REGARDING PATIENTS WHO REQUIRE CONTINUED FOLLOW-UP AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE.

P236

NUTRITIONAL CONTINUITY WITH A CLICK : CREATING A DIGITAL TOOL FOR TRANSFERRING INFORMATION BETWEEN DIETITIANS, REGARDING PATIENTS WHO REQUIRE CONTINUED FOLLOW-UP AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE.

I. Koren^1,*, D. Ofir², S. Frishman³, G. Goldzak⁴

¹nutrition unit Haifa and Western Galilee district, ²nutrition unit Carmel hospital, clalit health service, haifa, ³nutrition unit, clalit health service, ⁴nutrition unit, clalit halth service, tel aviv, Israel

 

Rationale: Prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized patients ranges between 30-70%, and can reach up to 90% in elderly (nutrients, 2022) resulting in high co-morbidities, mortality and medical costs.

The malnourished and nutritionally complexed patients are identified and treated by "Clalit Carmel medical center" dietitians, but despite previous initiatives implemented to assure continuum of care, less than 10% of these patients were followed up in "Clalit Haifa district" community clinics, within an average of 60 days after discharge.

Methods: Development of a computerized component in patient's hospital file to identify as nutritionally complexed.

 Development of a daily online report listing these patients once discharged, enabling continuation of dietary monitoring.

Creation of hospital-community interface for integrating these patients, assuring continued follow-up by community dietitian to achieving nutritional goals after hospital discharge.

Results: 79% of eligible patients were followed up by community dietitians.

Follow up occurred within 10.9 days on average after discharge.

The digital tool was implemented across all hospitals and districts of "clalit health service".

Conclusion: The online transfer of information enhances continuity of care between hospital and community. Further collection of data is needed to asses whether this contributes to reducing hospital readmissions, medical complications and mortality.

References: Bellanti F, Lo Buglio A, Quiete S, Vendemiale G. Malnutrition in Hospitalized Old Patients: Screening and Diagnosis, Clinical Outcomes, and Management. Nutrients. 2022 Feb 21;14(4):910.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared