Hospital and homecare malnutrition and nutritional therapy in Brazil. Strategies for alleviating it: a position paper.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition in hospitalized patients is not evaluated frequently. However, it is a critical issue given that it has been related to a high rate of infectious complications and increased mortality rates. There is a high prevalence of patients with nutritional impairment in the home environment, which favors their clinical worsening, the increase of re-hospitalizations and, consequently, the increase in public health expenditures. OBJECTIVE: Nutrition experts have thoroughly discussed and written this positioning paper on hospital and homecare malnutrition to describe the prevalence of malnutrition in Brazil. Best practice recommendations for nutrition therapy of patients in hospital and homecare, in particular the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS), to those who are at risk of malnutrition or malnourished were evaluated, and the impact on clinical and economic data were assessed. In addition, they emphasize that investments in oral nutritional supplementation are also important in the homecare environment (home or nursing homes). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Selected scientific articles on disease-related malnutrition, especially those carried out in Brazil, were assessed. Data on prevalence, clinical outcomes, and economic burdens were reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Several studies have shown the importance of in-hospital nutritional assessment for early detection of malnutrition and early intervention with nutrition therapy, in particular with oral nutritional therapy. Unfortunately, hospital malnutrition remains high in Brazil, with severe consequences for patients. The implementation of universal nutritional screening and diagnosis as well as the therapeutic approach of malnutrition, particularly with the use, when possible, of oral nutrition supplements as the first step to address this condition is still low, and demands the investment in educational resources to change practices. Routine use of nutritional therapy in hospital and homecare settings improves clinical outcomes, is cost effective, and would be expected to help reduce healthcare costs.

Hospital and homecare malnutrition and nutritional therapy in Brazil. Strategies for alleviating it: a position paper / Desnutrición y terapia nutricional en hospitales y en domicilios en Brasil. Estrategias para aliviarlo: posicionamiento

Introduction: Malnutrition in hospitalized patients is not evaluated frequently. However, it is a critical issue given that it has been related to a high rate of infectious complications and increased mortality rates. There is a high prevalence of patients with nutritional impairment in the home environment, which favors their clinical worsening, the increase of re-hospitalizations and, consequently, the increase in public health expenditures. Objective: Nutrition experts have thoroughly discussed and written this positioning paper on hospital and homecare malnutrition to describe the prevalence of malnutrition in Brazil. Best practice recommendations for nutrition therapy of patients in hospital and homecare, in particular the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS), to those who are at risk of malnutrition or malnourished were evaluated, and the impact on clinical and economic data were assessed. In addition, they emphasize that investments in oral nutritional supplementation are also important in the homecare environment (home or nursing homes). Materials and methods: Selected scientific articles on disease-related malnutrition, especially those carried out in Brazil, were assessed. Data on prevalence, clinical outcomes, and economic burdens were reviewed. Results and conclusion: Several studies have shown the importance of in-hospital nutritional assessment for early detection of malnutrition and early intervention with nutrition therapy, in particular with oral nutritional therapy. Unfortunately, hospital malnutrition remains high in Brazil, with severe consequences for patients. The implementation of universal nutritional screening and diagnosis as well as the therapeutic approach of malnutrition, particularly with the use, when possible, of oral nutrition supplements as the first step to address this condition is still low, and demands the investment in educational resources to change practices. Routine use of nutritional therapy in hospital and homecare settings improves clinical outcomes, is cost effective, and would be expected to help reduce healthcare costs (AU)

Introducción: la desnutrición en pacientes hospitalizados no se evalúa con frecuencia. Sin embargo, es un problema crítico dado que se ha relacionado con una alta tasa de complicaciones infecciosas y con el incremento de la mortalidad. Se observa una alta prevalencia de pacientes desnutridos en el entorno domiciliario, lo que favorece su deterioro clínico, el aumento de las rehospitalizaciones y, como consecuencia, el aumento del gasto sanitario público. Objetivo: expertos en nutrición realizaron una revisión detallada de los estudios para redactar un posicionamiento sobre la situación en Brasil respecto a la prevalencia de la desnutrición hospitalaria y domiciliaria. Se identificaron las mejores prácticas recomendadas para la terapia nutricional de los pacientes hospitalarios y en domicilio en riesgo de desnutrición o desnutridos y se evaluó la utilidad de los suplementos nutricionales orales (SNO) a través de datos clínicos y económicos. Adicionalmente, se evidenció que las inversiones en suplementos nutricionales orales son también importantes en el entorno domiciliario (domicilio o residencia). Materiales y métodos: se evaluaron artículos científicos seleccionados, especialmente los realizados en Brasil, sobre la desnutrición relacionada con enfermedades. Se revisaron los datos sobre la prevalencia, los resultados clínicos y las cargas económicas. Resultados y conclusión: varios estudios han demostrado la importancia de la evaluación nutricional en el hospital para la detección precoz de la desnutrición y la intervención temprana con terapia nutricional oral, siempre que sea posible, como estrategia inicial para abordar el problema. Desafortunadamente, la desnutrición hospitalaria continúa siendo elevada en Brasil, con consecuencias graves para los pacientes. La identificación del estado nutricional deficiente a través del cribado y el inicio de la terapia nutricional, particularmente con el uso, cuando es posible, de suplementos nutricionales orales, como primera etapa para combatir la desnutrición no está aún establecida y requiere una inversión en recursos educativos para cambiar las prácticas actuales. El uso rutinario de la terapia nutricional en el entorno hospitalario y domiciliario mejora los resultados clínicos y tiene un impacto positivo en la disminución de los costes asociados y, de esta forma, se espera que contribuya a la reducción de los costes de atención sanitaria (AU)

[Continuous spinal block in a patient undergoing partial gastrectomy: case report]. / Raquianestesia contínua em paciente submetido à gastrectomia parcial: relato de caso.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Due to the high incidence of technical and neurological complications, continuous spinal blocks were not performed for several years. With the advent of intermediate catheters the technique has been used more often and gaining acceptance among anesthesiologists. The objective of this report was to demonstrate the usefulness of the technique as a viable alternative for medium and major size surgeries. CASE REPORT: This is a 58 years old female patient, weighing 62 kg, physical status ASA I, with a history of migraines, low back pain, and prior surgeries under spinal block without intercurrence. The patient was scheduled for exploratory laparotomy for a probable pelvic tumor. After venoclysis with an 18G catheter, monitoring with cardioscope, non-invasive blood pressure and pulse oximetry was instituted; she was sedated with 2 mg of midazolam and 100 (1/4)g of fentanyl, and placed in left lateral decubitus. The patient underwent continuous spinal block through the median approach in L3-L4; 9 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine and 120 (1/4)g of morphine sulfate were administered. Inspection of the abdominal cavity revealed a gastric stromal tumor that required an increase in the incision for a partial gastrectomy. A small dose of hyperbaric solution was required for the entire procedure, which was associated with complete hemodynamic stability. Postoperative admission to the ICU was not necessary; the patient presented a good evolution without complaints and with a high degree of satisfaction. She was discharged from the hospital after 72 hours without intercurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Intermediate catheters used in continuous spinal blocks have shown the potential to turn it an attractive and useful technique in medium and large size surgeries and it can even be an effective alternative in the management of critical patients to whom hemodynamic repercussions can be harmful.

Raquianestesia contínua em paciente submetido à gastrectomia parcial: relato de caso / Raquianestesia continua en paciente sometido a la gastrectomía parcial: relato de caso / Continuous spinal block in a patient undergoing partial gastrectomy: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Devido à alta incidência de complicações técnicas e neurológicas, a raquianestesia contínua foi abandonada por muitos anos. Com o surgimento dos cateteres intermediários, a técnica vem ressurgindo e ganhando simpatia no arsenal anestesiológico. O objetivo deste relato foi resgatar a utilidade da técnica como alternativa viável para procedimento de médio a grande porte. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente feminina, 58 anos, 62 kg, estado físico ASA I, com relato de enxaqueca, lombalgia e procedimentos cirúrgicos prévios sob raquianestesia sem intercorrências. Candidata à laparotomia exploradora por provável tumor pélvico. Após venóclise com cateter 18G, monitorização com cardioscópio, pressão arterial-não invasiva e oximetria de pulso, foi sedada com midazolam 2 mg e fentanil 100 »g e colocada em decúbito lateral esquerdo. Foi submetida à raquianestesia contínua por via mediana em L3-L4. Foram injetados 9 mg de bupivacaína hiperbárica a 0,5 por cento e 120 »g de sulfato de morfina. Após inspeção da cavidade, verificou-se que o tumor era proveniente do estroma gástrico, sendo necessária ampliação da incisão e realização de gastrectomia parcial. Todo o procedimento foi realizado com pequena dose de solução hiperbárica e completa estabilidade hemodinâmica. Não houve necessidade de UTI no pós-operatório e a paciente evoluiu sem queixas e com alto grau de satisfação. Recebeu alta hospitalar após 72 horas sem nenhuma intercorrência. CONCLUSÕES: Os cateteres intermediários utilizados em raquianestesia contínua mostram-se promissores em tornar a técnica bastante atraente e de grande utilidade em operações de médio a grande porte, podendo inclusive ser alternativa eficaz no manuseio de pacientes em estado crítico, em que grandes repercussões hemodinâmicas podem ser deletérias.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Due to the high incidence of technical and neurological complications, continuous spinal blocks were not performed for several years. With the advent of intermediate catheters the technique has been used more often and gaining acceptance among anesthesiologists. The objective of this report was to demonstrate the usefulness of the technique as a viable alternative for medium and major size surgeries. CASE REPORT: This is a 58 years old female patient, weighing 62 kg, physical status ASA I, with a history of migraines, low back pain, and prior surgeries under spinal block without intercurrence. The patient was scheduled for exploratory laparotomy for a probable pelvic tumor. After venoclysis with an 18G catheter, monitoring with cardioscope, non-invasive blood pressure and pulse oximetry was instituted; she was sedated with 2 mg of midazolam and 100 »g of fentanyl, and placed in left lateral decubitus. The patient underwent continuous spinal block through the median approach in L3-L4; 9 mg of 0.5 percent hyperbaric bupivacaine and 120 »g of morphine sulfate were administered. Inspection of the abdominal cavity revealed a gastric stromal tumor that required an increase in the incision for a partial gastrectomy. A small dose of hyperbaric solution was required for the entire procedure, which was associated with complete hemodynamic stability. Postoperative admission to the ICU was not necessary; the patient presented a good evolution without complaints and with a high degree of satisfaction. She was discharged from the hospital after 72 hours without intercurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Intermediate catheters used in continuous spinal blocks have shown the potential to turn it an attractive and useful technique in medium and large size surgeries and it can even be an effective alternative in the management of critical patients to whom hemodynamic repercussions can be harmful.

JUSTIFICATIVA Y OBJETIVOS: A causa de la elevada incidencia de las complicaciones técnicas y neurológicas, la raquianestesia continua fue abandonada durante muchos años. Con el surgimiento de los catéteres intermediarios, la técnica ha venido evolucionando nuevamente y obteniendo la simpatía en el arsenal anestesiológico. El objetivo de este relato, fue rescatar la utilidad de la técnica como una alternativa viable para el procedimiento de medio y gran porte. RELATO DEL CASO: Paciente femenina, 58 años, 62 kg, estado físico ASA I, con relato de jaqueca, lumbago y procedimientos quirúrgicos previos, bajo raquianestesia sin intercurrencias. Candidata a laparotomía exploradora por un probable tumor pélvico. Después de efectuada la venoclisis con catéter 18G, monitorización con cardioscopio, presión arterial no invasiva, y la oximetría de pulso, se le sedó con midazolam 2 mg y fentanil 100 »g y se le puso en decúbito lateral izquierdo. Se le sometió a la raquianestesia continua por vía mediana en L3-L4. Se le inyectaron 9 mg bupivacaína hiperbárica a 0,5 por ciento y 120 »g de sulfato de morfina. Después de la inspección de la cavidad, se verificó que el tumor era proveniente del estroma gástrico, siendo necesaria la ampliación de la incisión y la realización de gastrectomía parcial. Todo el procedimiento fue realizado con una pequeña dosis de solución hiperbárica y una completa estabilidad hemodinámica. No hubo necesidad de UCI en el postoperatorio y la paciente evolucionó sin quejarse y con un alto grado de satisfacción. Recibió el alta después de 72 horas sin ningún problema. CONCLUSIONES: Los catéteres intermediarios utilizados en la raquianestesia continua parecen ser promisorios en hacer con que la técnica sea bastante atractiva y de gran utilidad en operaciones de medio y gran porte, y puede incluso ser una alternativa eficaz en el manejo de pacientes en estado crítico, donde las grandes repercusiones hemodinámicas pueden ser perjudiciales.