Management of disease-related malnutrition for patients being treated in hospital.

Disease-related malnutrition in adult patients who have been admitted to hospital is a syndrome associated with substantially increased morbidity, disability, short-term and long-term mortality, impaired recovery from illness, and cost of care. There is uncertainty regarding optimal diagnostic criteria, definitions for malnutrition, and how to identify patients who would benefit from nutritional intervention. Malnutrition has become the focus of research aimed at translating current knowledge of its pathophysiology into improved diagnosis and treatment. Researchers are particularly interested in developing nutritional interventions that reverse the negative effects of disease-related malnutrition in the hospital setting. High-quality randomised trials have provided evidence that nutritional therapy can reduce morbidity and other complications associated with malnutrition in some patients. Screening of patients for risk of malnutrition at hospital admission, followed by nutritional assessment and individualised nutritional interventions for malnourished patients, should become part of routine clinical care and multimodal treatment in hospitals worldwide.

Using a generic definition of cachexia in patients with kidney disease receiving haemodialysis: a longitudinal (pilot) study.

BACKGROUND: Research indicates that cachexia is common among persons with chronic illnesses and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, there continues to be an absence of a uniformed disease-specific definition for cachexia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient populations. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to identify cachexia in patients receiving haemodialysis (HD) using a generic definition and then follow up on these patients for 12 months. METHOD: This was a longitudinal study of adult chronic HD patients attending two hospital HD units in the UK. Multiple measures relevant to cachexia, including body mass index (BMI), muscle mass [mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MUAMC)], handgrip strength (HGS), fatigue [Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)], appetite [Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT)] and biomarkers [C-reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin, haemoglobin and erythropoietin resistance index (ERI)] were recorded. Baseline analysis included group differences analysed using an independent t-test, dichotomized values using the χ2 test and prevalence were reported using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 24 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Longitudinal analysis was conducted using repeated measures analysis. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients (30 females and 76 males) were recruited with a mean age of 67.6 years [standard deviation (SD) 13.18] and dialysis vintage of 4.92 years (SD 6.12). At baseline, 17 patients were identified as cachectic, having had reported weight loss (e.g. >5% for >6 months) or BMI <20 kg/m2 and three or more clinical characteristics of cachexia. Seventy patients were available for analysis at 12 months (11 cachectic versus 59 not cachectic). FAACT and urea reduction ratio statistically distinguished cachectic patients (P = 0.001). However, measures of weight, BMI, MUAMC, HGS, CRP, ERI and FACIT tended to worsen in cachectic patients. CONCLUSION: Globally, cachexia is a severe but frequently underrecognized problem. This is the first study to apply the defined characteristics of cachexia to a representative sample of patients receiving HD. Further, more extensive studies are required to establish a phenotype of cachexia in advanced CKD.

Estimating the Prevalence of Muscle Wasting, Weakness, and Sarcopenia in Hemodialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Haemodialysis (HD) patients suffer from nutritional problems, which include muscle wasting, weakness, and cachexia, and are associated with poor clinical outcomes. The European Working Group for Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and Foundations for the National Institute of Health (FNIH) have developed criteria for the assessment of sarcopenia, including the use of non-invasive techniques such as bioelectrical impedance assessment (BIA), anthropometry, and hand grip strength (HGS) dynamometry. This study investigated the prevalence of muscle wasting, weakness, and sarcopenia using the EWGSOP and FNIH criteria. METHODS: BIA was performed in 24 females (f) and 63 males (m) in the post-dialysis period. Total skeletal muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle mass were estimated and index values (i.e., muscle mass divided by height2 [kg/m2]) were calculated (Total Skeletal Muscle Index (TSMI) and Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Index (ASMI)). Mid-arm circumference and triceps skin-fold thickness were measured and mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MUAMC) calculated. HGS was measured using a standard protocol and Jamar dynamometer. Suggested cut-points for low muscle mass and grip strength were utilized using the EWGSOP and FNIH criteria with prevalence estimated, including sarcopenia. RESULTS: The prevalence varied depending on methodology: low TSMI (moderate and severe sarcopenia combined) was 55% for whole group: 21% (f) and 68% (m). Low ASMI was 32% for whole group: 25% (f) and 35% (m). Low MUAMC was 25% for whole group: 0% (f) and 30% (m). ASMI highly correlated with Body Mass Index (r = 0.78, P < .001) and MUAMC (r = 0.68, P < .001). Muscle weakness was high regardless of cut-points used (50-71% (f); 60-79% (m)). CONCLUSIONS: Internationally, this is the first study comparing measures of muscle mass (TSMM and ASMM by BIA and MUAMC) and muscle strength (HGS) using this specific methodology in a hemodialysis population. Future work is required to confirm findings.

Establishing a clinical phenotype for cachexia in end stage kidney disease - study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Surveys using traditional measures of nutritional status indicate that muscle wasting is common among persons with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Up to 75% of adults undergoing maintenance dialysis show some evidence of muscle wasting. ESKD is associated with an increase in inflammatory cytokines and can result in cachexia, with the loss of muscle and fat stores. At present, only limited data are available on the classification of wasting experienced by persons with ESKD. Individuals with ESKD often exhibit symptoms of anorexia, loss of lean muscle mass and altered energy expenditure. These symptoms are consistent with the syndrome of cachexia observed in other chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart failure, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. While definitions of cachexia have been developed for some diseases, such as cardiac failure and cancer, no specific cachexia definition has been established for chronic kidney disease. The importance of developing a definition of cachexia in a population with ESKD is underscored by the negative impact that symptoms of cachexia have on quality of life and the association of cachexia with a substantially increased risk of premature mortality. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical phenotype of cachexia specific to individuals with ESKD. METHODS: A longitudinal study which will recruit adult patients with ESKD receiving haemodialysis attending a Regional Nephrology Unit within the United Kingdom. Patients will be followed 2 monthly over 12 months and measurements of weight; lean muscle mass (bioelectrical impedance, mid upper arm muscle circumference and tricep skin fold thickness); muscle strength (hand held dynamometer), fatigue, anorexia and quality of life collected. We will determine if they experience (and to what degree) the known characteristics associated with cachexia. DISCUSSION: Cachexia is a debilitating condition associated with an extremely poor outcome. Definitions of cachexia in chronic illnesses are required to reflect specific nuances associated with each disease. These discrete cachexia definitions help with the precision of research and the subsequent clinical interventions to improve outcomes for patients suffering from cachexia. The absence of a definition for cachexia in an ESKD population makes it particularly difficult to study the incidence of cachexia or potential treatments, as there are no standardised inclusion criteria for patients with ESKD who have cachexia. Outcomes from this study will provide much needed data to inform development and testing of potential treatment modalities, aimed at enhancing current clinical practice, policy and education.

Adaptation of nutritional risk screening tools may better predict response to nutritional treatment: a secondary analysis of the randomized controlled trial Effect of early nutritional therapy on Frailty, Functional Outcomes, and Recovery of malnourished medical inpatients Trial (EFFORT).

BACKGROUND: Nutritional screening tools have proven valuable for predicting clinical outcomes but have failed to determine which patients would be most likely to benefit from nourishment interventions. The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) are 2 of these tools, which are based on both nutritional parameters and parameters reflecting disease severity. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that the adaptation of nutritional risk scores, by removing parameters reflecting disease severity, would improve their predictive value regarding response to a nutritional intervention while providing similar prognostic information regarding mortality at short and long terms. METHODS: We reanalyzed data of 2028 patients included in the Swiss-wide multicenter, randomized controlled trial EFFORT (Effect of early nutritional therapy on Frailty, Functional Outcomes, and Recovery of malnourished medical inpatients Trial) comparing individualized nutritional support with usual care nutrition in medical inpatients. The primary endpoint was 30-d all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Although stratifying patients by high compared with low NRS score showed no difference in response to nutritional support, patients with high adapted NRS showed substantial benefit, whereas patients with low adapted NRS showed no survival benefit [adjusted hazard ratio: 0.55 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37, 0.80]] compared with 1.17 (95% CI: 0.70, 1.93), a finding that was significant in an interaction analysis [coefficient: 0.48 (95% CI: 0.25, 0.94), P = 0.031]. A similar effect regarding treatment response was found when stratifying patients on the basis of MNA compared with the adapted MNA. Regarding the prognostic performance, both original scores were slightly superior in predicting mortality than the adapted scores. CONCLUSIONS: Adapting the NRS and MNA by including nutritional parameters only improves their ability to predict response to a nutrition intervention, but slightly reduces their overall prognostic performance. Scores dependent on disease severity may best be considered prognostic scores, whereas nutritional risk scores not including parameters reflecting disease severity may indeed improve a more personalized treatment approach for nourishment interventions. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02517476.

The lived experience of renal cachexia: An interpretive phenomenological analysis.

Background: Chronic kidney disease is common, affecting up to 13 % of the global population, and is predicted to become the fifth leading cause of 'life years lost' by 2040. Individuals with end-stage kidney disease commonly develop complications such as protein-energy wasting and cachexia which further worsens their prognosis. The syndrome of 'renal cachexia' is poorly understood, under-diagnosed and even if recognised has limited treatment options. Objective: To explore the lived experience of renal cachexia for individuals with end-stage kidney disease and the interrelated experiences of their carers. Design: This interpretive phenomenological study was designed to facilitate an in-depth exploration of how patients and carers experience of renal cachexia. To improve and document the quality, transparency, and consistency of patient and public involvement in this study the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public-Short Format was followed. Setting: The study was conducted across two nephrology directorates, within two healthcare trusts in the United Kingdom. Participants: Seven participants who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for this study, four patients (three female, one male) and three carers (two male, one female). Methods: We employed a purposive sampling strategy. Data collection was conducted between July 2022 and December 2023. Interviews were semi-structured, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed in six steps by two researchers using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Ethical approval was approved by the Office for Research Ethics Committees Northern Ireland (Reference: 22/NI/0107). Results: Analysis generated six group experiential themes: the lived experience of appetite loss, functional decline and temporal coping, weight loss a visual metaphor of concern, social withdrawal and vulnerability, the emotional toll of eating challenges and psychological strain amidst a lack of information about cachexia. Conclusion: This is the first qualitative study exploring the lived experience of renal cachexia for patients and carers. Our study highlights that psycho-social and educational support is urgently needed. Additionally, healthcare professionals need better information provision to help them to recognise and respond to the needs of this population. Further research is required to develop models of holistic support which could help patients and carers cope with the impact of renal cachexia and optimally manage this syndrome within the family unit. Registration: N/A.

Assessment of refeeding syndrome definitions and 30-day mortality in critically ill adults: A comparison study.

BACKGROUND: Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk for refeeding syndrome (RFS), yet there is uncertainty regarding how RFS should be operationalized in the ICU. We evaluated different definitions for RFS and tested how they associated with patient-centered outcomes in the ICU. METHODS: This was a retrospective comparison study. Patients age ≥18 years were eligible if they were newly initiated on enteral feeding while hospitalized in the ICU. Eight definitions for RFS were operationalized, including that from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), all based on electrolyte levels from immediately before until up to 5 days after the initiation of enteral nutrition. Patients were followed for death or for ICU-free days, a measure of healthcare utilization. RESULTS: In all, 2123 patients were identified, including 406 (19.1%) who died within 30 days of ICU admission and 1717 (80.9%) who did not. Prevalence of RFS varied from 1.5% to 88% (ASPEN definition) depending on the RFS definition used. The excess risk for death associated with RFS varied from 33% to 92% across definitions. The development of RFS based on the ASPEN definition was associated with a greater decrease in ICU-free days compared with other definitions, but the relationship was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Eight definitions for RFS were evaluated, none of which showed strong associations with death or ICU-free days. It may be challenging to achieve a standardized definition for RFS that is based on electrolyte values and predicts mortality or ICU-free days.

Critical data at the crossroads: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey faces growing challenges.

NHANES needs urgent attention to ensure its future, which is facing emerging challenges associated with data collection, stagnant funding that has undercut innovation, and the increased call for granular data for subpopulations and groups at risk. The concerns do not rest merely on securing more funding but focus on the need for a constructive review of the survey to explore new approaches and identify appropriate change. This white paper, developed under the auspices of the ASN's Committee on Advocacy and Science Policy (CASP), is a call to the nutrition community to advocate for and support activities to prepare NHANES for future success in a changing nutrition world. Furthermore, because NHANES is much more than a nutrition survey and serves the needs of many in health fields and even commercial arenas, effective advocacy must be grounded in alliances among the survey's diverse stakeholders so that the full range of expertise and interests can engage. This article highlights the complicated nature of the survey along with key overarching challenges to underscore the importance of a measured, thoughtful, comprehensive, and collaborative approach to considering the future of NHANES. Starting-point questions are identified for the purposes of focusing dialog, discussion forums, and research. In particular, the CASP calls for a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study on NHANES to articulate an actionable framework for NHANES going forward. With a well-informed and integrated set of goals and recommendations that could be provided by such a study, a secure future for NHANES is more readily achievable.

Free Fatty acids and delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand factors related to increases in serum free fatty acid (FFA) levels and association with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: We performed serial measurement of systemic oxygen consumption by indirect calorimetry and FFA levels by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in the first 14 days after ictus in 50 consecutive patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Multivariable generalized estimating equation models identified associations with FFA levels in the first 14 days after SAH and Cox proportional hazards model used to identified associations with time to DCI. RESULTS: There were 187 measurements in 50 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (mean age, 56±14 years old; 66% women) with a median Hunt-Hess score of 3. Adjusting for Hunt-Hess grade and daily caloric intake, n-6 and n-3 FFA levels were both associated with oxygen consumption and the modified Fisher score. Fourteen (28%) patients developed DCI on median postbleed Day 7. The modified Fisher score (P=0.01), mean n-6:n-3 FFA ratio (P=0.02), and mean oxygen consumption level (P=0.04) were higher in patients who developed DCI. In a Cox proportional hazards model, the mean n-6:n-3 FFA ratio (P<0.001), younger age (P=0.05), and modified Fisher scale (P=0.004) were associated with time to DCI. CONCLUSIONS: Injury severity and oxygen consumption hypermetabolism are associated with higher n-FFA levels and an increased n-6:n-3 FFA ratio is associated with DCI. This may indicate a role for interventions that modulate both oxygen consumption and FFA levels to reduce the occurrence of DCI.

Nutritional support and brain tissue glucose metabolism in poor-grade SAH: a retrospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to determine the effect of nutritional support and insulin infusion therapy on serum and brain glucose levels and cerebral metabolic crisis after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: We used a retrospective observational cohort study of 50 mechanically ventilated poor-grade (Hunt-Hess 4 or 5) aneurysmal SAH patients who underwent brain microdialysis monitoring for an average of 109 hours. Enteral nutrition was started within 72 hours of admission whenever feasible. Intensive insulin therapy was used to maintain serum glucose levels between 5.5 and 7.8 mmol/l. Serum glucose, insulin and caloric intake from enteral tube feeds, dextrose and propofol were recorded hourly. Cerebral metabolic distress was defined as a lactate to pyruvate ratio (LPR)>40. Time-series data were analyzed using a general linear model extended by generalized estimation equations (GEE). RESULTS: Daily mean caloric intake received was 13.8±6.9 cal/kg and mean serum glucose was 7.9±1 mmol/l. A total of 32% of hourly recordings indicated a state of metabolic distress and <1% indicated a state of critical brain hypoglycemia (<0.2 mmol/l). Calories received from enteral tube feeds were associated with higher serum glucose concentrations (Wald=6.07, P=0.048), more insulin administered (Wald=108, P<0.001), higher body mass index (Wald=213.47, P<0.001), and lower body temperature (Wald=4.1, P=0.043). Enteral feeding (Wald=1.743, P=0.418) was not related to brain glucose concentrations after accounting for serum glucose concentrations (Wald=67.41, P<0.001). In the presence of metabolic distress, increased insulin administration was associated with a relative reduction of interstitial brain glucose concentrations (Wald=8.26, P=0.017), independent of serum glucose levels. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of metabolic distress, insulin administration is associated with reductions in brain glucose concentration that are independent of serum glucose levels. Further study is needed to understand how nutritional support and insulin administration can be optimized to minimize secondary injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Disease-Related Malnutrition and Enteral Nutrition.

There are many misconceptions surrounding the diagnosing and treatment of malnutrition and around feeding people with enteral nutrition (EN). Often the decisions made by clinicians are made from anecdote or guidelines that may be out of date or supported by low-quality evidence. In this article, we will discuss different aspects of diagnosing malnutrition and delve deeper into the science and evidence behind certain recommendations. Our goal is to better equip the reader with the most current data-supported recommendation, such as indications, contraindications, complications of EN, tube and ostomy complications, types and use of specialized enteral formulas, and home management.

Parenteral Nutrition.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a therapy to nourish patients who cannot tolerate feeding via the gut. Though a life-saving intervention, it does have risks associated. In this article, we aim to dispel myths associated with PN. Practitioners who manage critically ill patients or patients with intestinal failure should be equipped with evidence-based knowledge of PN including the indications, contraindications, feasibility, complications, and long-term management of PN.

Evaluation of the ASPEN guidelines for refeeding syndrome among hospitalized patients receiving enteral nutrition: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, refeeding syndrome (RFS) has lacked standardized diagnostic criteria. This study sought to (1) determine whether RFS, as operationalized in the 2020 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) guideline definition, is associated with adverse clinical outcomes and (2) identify key risk factors for RFS. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, adults hospitalized from 2015 to 2019 were included if they were ordered for enteral feeding during hospitalization. Data were collected for up to 30 days, and RFS was operationalized as per the ASPEN 2020 guidelines as a ≥10% (corresponding to mild RFS), ≥25% (moderate), and ≥50% (severe) decline in prefeeding serum phosphorus, magnesium, or potassium. The mortality associated with RFS was assessed, and risk factors for RFS were identified using multivariable logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Of 3854 participants, 3480 (90%) developed mild RFS. Thirty-day mortality was higher in those without mild RFS (24%) than in those with mild RFS (18%) (P < 0.01). When RFS was reoperationalized as a 50% decline in electrolytes, 25% of patients developed RFS with a 20% 30-day mortality. Risk factors for development of RFS included renal failure, elevated creatinine, and low platelets; additionally, prefeeding serum phosphorus level was strongly associated with development of RFS (adjusted odds ratio, 6.09; 95% confidence interval, 4.95-7.49 for those in the highest tertile of prefeeding phosphorus compared with the lowest). CONCLUSION: The ASPEN operationalization of RFS as a decline in baseline electrolyte values was not associated with death. Prefeeding serum phosphorus level strongly predicted severe RFS.

Effect of malnutrition on outcomes in patients with heart failure: A large retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is highly prevalent, whereas malnutrition is generally associated with poorer hospital outcomes, and it is not uncommon in patients with HF. Prior studies of the effect of malnutrition on HF outcomes are limited in size and quality. This study aims to elucidate the association between malnutrition and hospital length of stay (LOS), mortality, and discharge destination in patients with HF. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of medical records for inpatients admitted with a primary diagnosis of HF in 2018. Patients with HF and severe protein-calorie malnutrition were compared with those without malnutrition. A two-sided t-test was conducted between patients who have HF with and without malnutrition on hospital outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression was developed to identify potential predictors of malnutrition. A propensity score was calculated for each patient and matched cases (malnutrition with nonmalnutrition) to balance covariates and reduce bias. RESULTS: For N = 7079, the median age was 75 years, with 15.79% having severe malnutrition. Overall mortality was 5.57% (394 deceased) . There were significant associations between malnutrition and both mortality (relative risk, 2.22; P < 0.001) and LOS (10 vs 5 days, P < 0.001) in patients with HF. Significantly fewer patients with malnutrition were discharged home (odds ratio, 0.41; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with HF and malnutrition have higher risk for mortality, increased LOS in the hospital, and decreased chance of being discharged home. Continued study of this population is required to better predict which patients with malnutrition will respond to nutrition interventions.

Nasal Feeding Tubes Are Associated with Fewer Adverse Events than Feeding via Ostomy in Hospitalized Patients Receiving Enteral Nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Surgical feeding ostomies (eg, gastrostomy) have become required by many nursing facilities for all patients receiving enteral nutrition, whether for short- or long-term use. These policies lack supportive evidence. Comparisons of adverse event rates between surgical and natural orifice tubes are few and lacking in the inpatient setting. Additionally, we hypothesize that adverse events related to feeding tubes are underreported. We sought to quantify adverse events to test the relative safety of surgical feeding ostomies and natural orifice (eg. nasogastric or orogastric) feeding tubes in hospitalized patients. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cohort study of enterally fed inpatients using semiweekly focused physical examination, scripted survey, and chart review. RESULTS: All tube-fed patients admitted to a large, urban, academic hospital received semiweekly bedside evaluation and chart review over a 9-week period (n = 226 unique patients, mean 6.25 visits each, total 1118 observations). Demographics were comparable between 148 subjects with natural orifice and 113 subjects with surgical feeding tubes. A higher incidence of adverse events was observed with surgical tubes (3.34 vs 1.25 events per 100 subject days, P < .001). Only 50% of all adverse events were documented in the medical record. More patients with surgical tubes were discharged to skilled nursing facilities (58% vs 24%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical feeding tubes are associated with significantly higher in-hospital adverse event rates when compared with natural orifice (nasal or oral) feeding tubes. Policies requiring surgical feeding ostomies should be reevaluated.

Reduction of Unnecessary Gastrostomy Tube Placement in Hospitalized Patients.

BACKGROUND: Many patients undergoing gastrostomy tube placement at one academic medical center were able to resume an oral diet prior to discharge or did not survive hospitalization. The objective of this study was to reduce placement of nonbeneficial gastrostomy tubes and to maintain or improve adherence to gastrostomy tube guidelines. METHODS: In February 2017 the Acute Care Surgery service began an initiative in which gastrostomy tube placement was deferred until the patient was deemed medically stable for discharge. This study retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, January 2014-January 2017, prior to the intervention, and February 2017-December 2019, after the intervention. Primary outcomes included the proportion of patients undergoing PEG tube placement who resumed an oral diet or who died during the index hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included the timing of the PEG tube placement. RESULTS: PEGs were placed in 240 patients in the preintervention period and in 171 patients in the postintervention period. In the postintervention period, there was a lower percentage of patients resuming oral diet after PEG placement (17.1% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.0049), a lower duration between stroke diagnosis and PEG placement (mean of 21.0 days vs. 17,1 days, p = 0.0305), and a lower duration between PEG placement and hospital discharge (mean of 19.7 days vs. 13.6 days, p = 0.0035). CONCLUSION: Intentional delay in PEG placement until patients were medically stabilized and approaching discharge was associated with a reduction in unnecessary procedures and an overall reduction in the number of procedures, while maintaining alignment with clinical guidelines and avoiding delays in discharge attributable to the procedure.

Safe care transitions for patients receiving parenteral nutrition.

Transitions of care require coordination between inpatient healthcare providers, care managers, outpatient/ambulatory providers, and the patient/caregiver and family members. Poor communication during transitions of care can affect health outcomes and economic costs for patients/caregivers, healthcare providers, and healthcare systems. The goal of this paper is to identify risk-prone processes in the transition of care for patients requiring parenteral nutrition (PN) between healthcare environments, including the hospital, home, skilled nursing facility, and long-term acute care hospital settings. To facilitate the evaluation of the transition, a sequential series of steps in the transition process were identified: initial notification, assessment in preparation for transfer, identifying the receiving organization, identifying accountable providers at each sending/receiving organization, communicating the nutrition care plan, implementing the plan and additional considerations regarding PN preparation and readmissions. Safety concerns with risk-prone processes are identified and recommended best practices are proposed for improving processes at each step of the transition. Pediatric considerations are included in the evaluation of the various steps in the transition of care. This paper was approved by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) Board of Directors.

Developing an Evidence and Theory Based Multimodal Integrative Intervention for the Management of Renal Cachexia: A Theory of Change.

In this study, we aimed to develop a theoretical framework for a multimodal, integrative, exercise, anti-inflammatory and dietary counselling (MMIEAD) intervention for patients with renal cachexia with reference to how this addresses the underlying causal pathways for renal cachexia, the outcomes anticipated, and how these will be evaluated. We used a Theory of Change (ToC) approach to guide six steps. Step 1 included inputs from a workshop to obtain key stakeholder views on the potential development of a multimodal intervention for renal cachexia. Step 2 included the findings of a mixed-methods study with Health Care Practitioners (HCPs) caring for individuals with End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) and cachexia. Step 3 included the results from our systematic literature review on multimodal interventions for cachexia management. In step 4, we used the body of our research team's cachexia research and wider relevant research to gather evidence on the specific components of the multimodal intervention with reference to how this addresses the underlying causal pathways for renal cachexia. In steps 5 and 6 we developed and refined the ToC map in consultation with the core research team and key stakeholders which illustrates how the intervention components of MMIEAD interact to achieve the intended long-term outcomes and anticipated impact. The results of this study provide a theoretical framework for the forthcoming MMIEAD intervention for those with renal cachexia and in subsequent phases will be used to determine whether this intervention is effective. To the best of our knowledge no other multimodal intervention trials for cachexia management have reported a ToC. Therefore, this research may provide a useful framework and contribute to the ongoing development of interventions for cachexia management.