Safety in nutrition nursing-a need to protect patients and professionals.

Suzy Cole, National Nurses Nutrition Group Committee Member (suzy.cole@nhs.net) and Natalie Welsh, Vice Chair National Nurses Nutrition Group, outline recent work from several nutrition professional groups.

Fundamental nursing care: A systematic review of the evidence on the effect of nursing care interventions for nutrition, elimination, mobility and hygiene.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of nursing interventions for people's nutrition, elimination, mobility and hygiene needs. BACKGROUND: Patient experience of health care is sensitive to nursing quality. A refocus on fundamental nursing care is undermined by lack of evidence of effectiveness for interventions in core areas such as elimination, nutrition, mobility and hygiene. DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: We searched for and included experimental studies on interventions by professionally qualified and unregistered nurses that addressed participants' nutrition, elimination, mobility and hygiene needs. We extracted data on scope, quality and results of studies followed by descriptive narrative synthesis of included study outcomes using a novel form of harvest plots. RESULTS: We included 149 studies, 35 nutrition, 56 elimination, 16 mobility, 39 hygiene and three addressing two or more areas simultaneously (67 randomised controlled trials, 32 non-randomised controlled trials and 50 uncontrolled trials). Studies into interventions on participant self-management of nutrition (n = 25), oral health (n = 26), catheter care (n = 23) and self-management of elimination (n = 21) were the most prevalent. Most studies focussed their outcomes on observational or physiological measures, with very few collecting patient-reported outcomes, such as quality of life, experience or self-reported symptoms. All but 13 studies were of low quality and at significant risk of bias. The majority of studies did not define primary outcomes, included multiple measures of identical concepts, used inappropriate analyses and did not conform to standard reporting quality criteria. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence for fundamental nursing care interventions is sparse, of poor quality and unfit to provide evidence-based guidance to practising nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Researchers in nursing internationally should now undertake a programme of work to produce evidence for clinical practice in the fundamentals of care that is reliable, replicable and robust.

[Organising nutritional support for patients with anorexia]. / Organiser l'accompagnement alimentaire de l'anorexie.

Nutritional care in the Eating Disorder unit of Sainte-Anne general hospital in Paris, is organised around a care model based on cognitive behavioural therapy. Hospitalisation is generally prepared beforehand and aims to draw on patients' resources enabling them to clarify a request for help. A care contract can be drawn up to provide step-by-step support for the patient in terms of the goals to achieve.

The self-perceived knowledge, skills and attitudes of Australian practice nurses in providing nutrition care to patients with chronic disease.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition is important for the management of chronic diseases. While practice nurses have numerous roles in primary care, the expectations on practice nurses to provide nutrition care for chronic disease management are increasing. The self-perceived knowledge, skills and attitudes of practice nurses in providing nutrition care has not been widely investigated. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the perceptions of Australian practice nurses on the provision of nutrition care for chronic disease management, including specific nutrition-related activities. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 181 Australian practice nurses in 2013. Descriptive analyses were conducted on each survey item. The survey sample was tested for representation of the Australian practice nurse workforce, and associations between respondents' demographic characteristics and responses to survey items were explored. RESULTS: Almost all practice nurses (89%) felt it was important to address diet whenever they cared for a patient. Over half of practice nurses (61%) were unsure if their practices were effective in increasing patients' compliance with nutritional recommendations. Nearly all practice nurses (98%) perceived further education on nutrition would assist them in their role. CONCLUSION: Practice nurses perceive they have an important role and favourable attitudes towards providing nutrition care; however, further training and education to enhance their self-perceived effectiveness is warranted. Future research should clarify whether an increase in nutrition-focused training results in improved effectiveness of nutrition care provided by practice nurses in terms of patient health outcomes.

Nutrition-related care needs of older patients in hospital: A qualitative multimethod study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the nutrition-related care needs of older patients in hospitals. METHODS: A qualitative multimethod study was performed. By purposive sampling, older patients were included for observations of the nutrition process and interviews from a perioperative unit, an internal Medicine unit, and one acute geriatric care ward of an acute care hospital. Preliminary findings were discussed, validated, and further explored in two focus group discussions with interprofessional nutritional healthcare experts. FINDINGS: Seventeen women and five men with a mean age of 86 years participated in patient observations and interviews. Eight experts with at least 10 years of professional experience who were employed in this setting for 3 years or more participated in interviews. Three themes of nutrition-related care needs were elaborated: The need to assess and address older patients' attitudes toward life, the need for nutrition-related education, and the need for food intake support. These care needs added to the development and validation of a new nursing diagnosis "risk for inadequate protein energy nutrition" and in consequence to develop a complex nursing intervention to optimize the nutrition of older patients. CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to assess and understand the patients' attitudes toward life, which affect purposes of treatment, diet, and menu choices. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Implementation of assessing nutrition-related care needs of older inpatients is needed. Addressing these care needs within the Advanced Nursing Process can lead to appropriate nursing diagnoses, nursing outcomes, and interventions, which enhance person-centered care, patients' self-care abilities, and consequently patients' nutritional status.

ZIEL: Untersuchung der ernährungsbezogenen Pflegebedürfnisse älterer Patient*innen im Krankenhaus. METHODE: Es wurde eine qualitative Multimethodenstudie durchgeführt. Mittels zielgerichteter Rekrutierung wurden ältere Patient*innen aus den Abteilungen allgemeine Chirurgie, innere Medizin und universitäre Klinik für Akutgeriatrie eines Krankenhauses für Beobachtungen des Ernährungsprozesses und Interviews einbezogen. Die vorläufigen Ergebnisse wurden in zwei Fokusgruppengesprächen mit Expert*innen aus verschiedenen Berufsgruppen diskutiert, validiert und weiter analysiert. ERGEBNISSE: Siebzehn Frauen und fünf Männer mit einem Durchschnittsalter von 86 Jahren nahmen an Patient*innenbeobachtungen und -interviews teil. Es wurden drei Themen ernährungsbezogener Pflegebedürfnisse herausgearbeitet: Das Bedürfnis, die Lebenseinstellung älterer Patient*innen zu erfassen; das Bedürfnis, ernährungsbezogene Informationen zu erhalten und das Bedürfnis nach Unterstützung bei der Nahrungsaufnahme. Diese Pflegebedürfnisse unterstützten die Entwicklung und Validierung einer neuen Pflegediagnose "Risiko für inadequate Protein-Energie-Ernährung" und infolgedessen einer komplexen pflegerischen Intervention zur Optimierung der Ernährung älterer Patient*innen. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: Es ist von entscheidender Bedeutung, die Lebenseinstellung der Patient*innen einzuschätzen und zu verstehen, da sich diese auf die Behandlungsziele, die Ernährung und die Menüwahl auswirkt. AUSWIRKUNGEN AUF DIE PFLEGEPRAXIS: Die Erfassung der ernährungsbezogenen Pflegebedürfnisse älterer stationärer Patient*innen muss implementiert werden. Die Berücksichtigung dieser Pflegebedürfnisse im Rahmen des Advanced Nursing Process kann zu angemessenen Pflegediagnosen, Pflegeergebnissen und Interventionen führen, welche die personenzentrierte Versorgung, Selbstpflegefähigkeiten der Patient*innen und damit deren Ernährungszustand verbessern.

Care for the patient with burns in the trauma rehabilitation setting.

Caring for patients who are recovering from severe burns is not common in most rehabilitation settings. Nursing challenges include patients' physical and psychological changes and their high care demands. Harborview Medical Center, a regional level 1 burn and trauma center in Seattle, Washington, accepted these nursing challenges and developed a successful plan of care consistent with current evidence. This article describes Harborview Medical Center's trauma rehabilitation nursing experiences while caring for patients with burns. Our experiences may assist other rehabilitation units that serve patients with burns. Says one burn survivor: "Nurses make a huge difference in recovery, as they are there 24 hours a day. It is their touch, their caring, and their listening that aid the patient in his journey from fire victim to burn survivor."

[Malnutrition and weight loss - nurse assessment of nutritional status and counselling: experiences of patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed cancer]. / Malnutrition und Gewichtsverlust - Erfassen des Ernährungsstatus und Beratung durch Pflegende: Das Erleben von Patienten mit einer neu diagnostizierten oder rezidivierten Tumorerkrankung.

Due to the anorexia-cachexia syndrome, cancer patients are already suffering from nutritional problems and weight loss by the time they receive their diagnosis and start chemotherapy. In the oncology outpatient clinic of a Swiss university hospital, patients currently undergo a nutritional assessment and receive individual counselling at the beginning of cancer treatment. This qualitative study explored cancer patients' experiences with weight loss and nutritional problems as well as how they experienced the assessment and the consecutive counselling by nurses. Interviews were conducted with 12 patients and qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis. Results showed that patients barely registered the weight loss and did not interpret it as an early warning signal. Nevertheless, they attempted to improve their nutritional habits soon after diagnosis, prior to receiving any counselling. The patients did not experience the assessment as troublesome. They appreciated the nurses' advice and implemented the suggestions they found appropriate. This study highlights the importance of patient education regarding weight loss and nutritional problems early in the course of an illness. Patients may not be aware of nutritional problems at this early stage and may lack the necessary specialised knowledge. Assessment and counselling provided by nurses offer targeted measures for prevention of malnutrition and weight loss.

Nursing considerations to complement the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a series of recommendations based on the best available evidence to guide clinicians providing nursing care to patients with severe sepsis. DESIGN: Modified Delphi method involving international experts and key individuals in subgroup work and electronic-based discussion among the entire group to achieve consensus. METHODS: We used the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines as a framework to inform the structure and content of these guidelines. We used the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to rate the quality of evidence from high (A) to very low (D) and to determine the strength of recommendations, with grade 1 indicating clear benefit in the septic population and grade 2 indicating less confidence in the benefits in the septic population. In areas without complete agreement between all authors, a process of electronic discussion of all evidence was undertaken until consensus was reached. This process was conducted independently of any funding. RESULTS: Sixty-three recommendations relating to the nursing care of severe sepsis patients are made. Prevention recommendations relate to education, accountability, surveillance of nosocomial infections, hand hygiene, and prevention of respiratory, central line-related, surgical site, and urinary tract infections, whereas infection management recommendations related to both control of the infection source and transmission-based precautions. Recommendations related to initial resuscitation include improved recognition of the deteriorating patient, diagnosis of severe sepsis, seeking further assistance, and initiating early resuscitation measures. Important elements of hemodynamic support relate to improving both tissue oxygenation and macrocirculation. Recommendations related to supportive nursing care incorporate aspects of nutrition, mouth and eye care, and pressure ulcer prevention and management. Pediatric recommendations relate to the use of antibiotics, steroids, vasopressors and inotropes, fluid resuscitation, sedation and analgesia, and the role of therapeutic end points. CONCLUSION: Consensus was reached regarding many aspects of nursing care of the severe sepsis patient. Despite this, there is an urgent need for further evidence to better inform this area of critical care.

Rehabilitation after critical illness: could a ward-based generic rehabilitation assistant promote recovery?

AIM: The aim of this paper is to explore issues surrounding the implementation of a generic rehabilitation assistant (GRA) to provide ward-based rehabilitation after critical illness. BACKGROUND: Following critical illness a range of both physical and psychological problems can occur that include muscle wasting and weakness, fatigue, reduced appetite, post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression. Limited research exists evaluating the provision of rehabilitation to this patient group. This paper explores one possible service delivery model providing ward-based rehabilitation after critical illness. The model explored is a GRA working in conjunction with ward-based staff. RESULTS: We describe how a GRA worked effectively with ward-based teams to provide additional rehabilitation in the period after discharge from intensive care. Benefits included greater continuity of care that was flexible to the individual needs of patients. Some aspects of the role were challenging for the GRA and highlighted the need for good communication skills. A need for comprehensive training of the GRA was demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience demonstrates that it is feasible to deliver ward-based rehabilitation after critical illness using the GRA service delivery model. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This model of service delivery offers the potential to improve outcomes for patients after a critical illness. Further research evaluating this model of care is required before implementation into clinical practice.

An outpatient nursing nutritional intervention to prehabilitate undernourished patients planned for surgery: A multicentre, cluster-randomised pilot study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To improve the nutritional status of surgical patients before hospital admission, an Outpatient Nursing Nutritional Intervention (ONNI) was developed. The ONNI comprehends five components: determining causes of undernutrition, performing a nutritional care plan including tailored and general advice, self-monitoring of nutritional intake and eating patterns, counselling and encouragement, and conducting a follow-up telephone call to discuss improvements in nutritional behaviour. Here, we evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the ONNI. METHODS: In a multi-centred, cluster-randomised pilot study, nurses from outpatient clinics were randomly allocated to usual care (UC) or the ONNI. Patients planned for elective surgery were included if they were at increased risk for undernutrition based on the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and hospital admission was not planned within seven days. Feasibility outcomes included participation rate, extent of intervention delivery, and patient satisfaction. Nutritional intake was monitored for two days before admission. Body weight, BMI and MUST scores at hospital admission were compared to measurements from the outpatient clinic visit. Data were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis by researchers who were blinded for patients and caregivers. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients enrolled the feasibility phase. Participation rate was 72%. Nurses delivered all intervention components adequately in the end of the implementation period. Finally, 152 patients (IG: n = 66, 43%) participated in the study. A significant difference in mean energy intake (870 kcal/d, 95%CI:630-1109 p < 0.000) and mean protein intake (34.1 g/d, 95%CI: 25.0-43.2; p < 0.000) was observed in favour of the IG. Nutritional energy requirements were achieved in 74% (n = 46) of the IG and in 17% (n = 13) of the UC group (p < 0.000), and protein requirements were achieved in 52% (n = 32) of the IG, compared to 8% (n = 6) of the UC group (p < 0.000). Body weight, BMI and MUST scores did not change in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The ONNI is a feasible and effective intervention tool for nurses at outpatient clinics. Patients in the IG had more nutritional intake and fulfilled nutritional requirements significantly more often than patients receiving UC. Further research is required to determine the optimal pre-operative timing of nutritional support and to measure its effect on other patients groups. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered at the ClinicalTrial.gov website with the following identifier: NCT02440165.

Nurses' positive attitudes to nutritional management but limited knowledge of nutritional assessment in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Nurses' involvement in nutritional management has received greater emphasis as an accountable factor for the nutritional status of patients. Studies have shown that there are deficiencies in awareness of the importance of nutritional assessment and limited nutritional knowledge in nurses. AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate nutritional attitudes and knowledge of nurses working in the hospital environment. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted. It is focused on nutritional management with regard to assessment of nutritional status and implementation of nutritional care. Nurses were recruited from the university hospital in Seoul, Korea. FINDINGS: A majority of nurses had positive attitudes towards patients' nutritional status and had a high desire to receive nutritional information. However, they had limited knowledge of nutrition, especially nutritional assessment criteria which are basic to the evaluation of patient's nutritional status. Nurses did not perform the nutritional assessment appropriately in practice. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that nurses have limited nutritional knowledge and they use nutritional assessment criteria poorly in clinical settings. This study provides a framework for developing nutritional management programmes and a standardized protocol for nutritional assessment.

Starving amidst plenty: malnutrition is still a problem.

'Thousands of patients are annually starved in the midst of plenty for want of attention to the ways which alone make it possible for them to take food' (Florence Nightingale, 1860).

Testing the effect of specific orders to provide oral liquid nutritional supplements to nursing home residents: a quality improvement project.

OBJECTIVES: To improve nursing home (NH) staff delivery of oral liquid nutritional supplements between meals to residents with a history of weight loss. DESIGN: Pre-Post intervention study. SETTING: Two skilled nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen long term care residents. INTERVENTION: At baseline all participants had a non-specific physician's order to receive a nutritional supplement. The intervention consisted of specifying the physician's order as follows: "Give 4 oz high protein supplement at 10 am, 2 pm, and 7 pm". MEASUREMENTS: Research staff conducted direct observations for two days during and between meals for a total of 4 days, or 12 possible observation periods per participant before and one week following the intervention. Research staff documented NH staff delivery of snacks (including high protein supplements) and amount consumed (fluid ounces) for the high protein supplements using a standardized protocol during each observation period. RESULTS: Before the specific order was written participants were offered any type of snack an average of 1.82 times per day and a high protein supplement 0.59 times per day. After the specific order was written participants were offered any type of snack an average of 1.59 times per day and a high protein supplement 0.91 times per day. There were no statistically significant differences in the average number of times snacks or supplements were offered before and after the specific order was written. The proportion of snacks offered that were high protein supplements did increase after the specific order was written (p<0.001). When a high protein supplement was provided, most residents consumed 100% of it. CONCLUSIONS: Oral liquid nutritional supplements were not provided consistent with orders in NH practice. The specificity of the order related to type of supplement and time of delivery did not influence when and how often supplements are provided to residents but it did influence the type of nutritional supplement offered.