Malnutrition
Conditions
Keywords
meal service, protein intake, satisfaction, hospitalized patients
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate whether a novel meal service FoodforCare (FfC), comprising 6-protein-rich meals a day following proactive advice from a nutritional assistant, improves dietary intake and patient satisfaction, compared to the traditional 3-meals a day service (TMS).
Detailed description
The investigators performed a quasi experimental study at medical (Gastroenterology) and surgical (Gynecology, Urology, Orthopedics) wards. Patients were offered TMS (July 2015 - May 2016; n=326) or FfC meal service (after stepwise introduction per ward from January 2016 - December 2016; n=311). Primary outcome was the mean percentage of protein and energy intake relative to requirements, between patients receiving TMS and those receiving FfC, on the first and fourth day of full oral intake. Patient satisfaction comprised rating of the experienced quality of the food and the meal service and by means of a validated questionnaire.
Interventions
OTHERMeal service
The type of meal service in the hospital (usual care)
Sponsors
Radboud University Medical Center
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Dutch speaking * Aged 18 years or older * Exclusively oral intake * Expected hospital stay of at least 1 day
Exclusion criteria
* Patients with tube- or parenteral feeding * A language barrier * Considered to be too weak to adequately answer our questions
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Protein intake day 1 (gram) | 1 day | The percentage of protein intake (gram) relative to requirements (1.2 gram/kilogram bodyweight) on the first day of full oral intake. |
| Protein intake day 4 (gram) | 4 days | The percentage of protein intake (gram) relative to requirements (1.2 gram/kilogram bodyweight) on the fourth day of full oral intake. |
| Energy intake day 1 (kcal) | 1 day | The percentage of energy intake (kcal) relative to requirements (Harris & Benedict formula \* 1.3) on the first day of full oral intake. |
| Energy intake day 4 (kcal) | 4 days | The percentage of energy intake (kcal) relative to requirements (Harris & Benedict formula \* 1.3) on the fourth day of full oral intake. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional status (height) | 1 day | Height (in cm) was measured prior to meals in the morning of the first day of oral intake. |
| Patients' satisfaction (food appreciation and access to food) | 3 day | Patients completed a questionnaire on food appreciation and experiences regarding food access on the third day of full oral intake in the hospital. |
| Nutritional status (malnutrition universal screening tool) | 1 day | Malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST)) was measured prior to meals in the morning of the first day of oral intake. Weight (kg) and height (cm) will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2. |
| Patients' satisfaction (food quality and meal service) | 3 day | Patients completed a questionnaire in which they rated the quality of the food and the meal service (scale 0-10) on the third day of full oral intake in the hospital. |
| Change in nutritional status (body weight) | 4 days | Body weight (in kg) was measured prior to meals in the morning of the first and fourth day of oral intake. |
| Change in nutritional status (handgrip strength) | 4 days | Handgrip strength (in kg) was measured prior to meals in the morning of the first and fourth day of oral intake. |
Outcome results
None listed