From evidence to clinical practice: Positive effect of implementing a protein-enriched hospital menu in conjunction with individualized dietary counseling

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Background: The aim of this study was to investigate if a protein-enriched menu in conjunction with individualized dietary counseling would increase energy and protein intake in hospitalized patients at nutrition risk compared with providing the protein-enriched menu as a stand-alone intervention. Method: Data from medical and surgical hospitalized patients were prospectively collected and compared with a historical intervention group (HIG). Primary outcome was the number of patients achieving >75% of energy and protein requirements. Secondary outcomes included mean energy and protein intake (adjusted for body weight [ABW]), readmission rate, and the number of patients with a baseline intake <50% of energy and protein requirement, who increased to ≥50%. Results: In the intervention group (IG), 92% vs 76% in the HIG reached >75% of energy requirements (P = .04); 90% in the IG vs 66% in the HIG reached >75% of protein requirements (p = <0.01). The IG had a significantly higher mean intake of energy and protein compared with the HIG: ABW, 31 kcal kg-1 vs 25 kcal kg-1 (P < .01) and 1.2 g protein kg-1 vs 0.9 g protein kg-1 (P < .001). More than 85% of the patients with a baseline <50% of the EP requirement achieved ≥75% of the energy and protein requirement. No difference between readmission rates was found. Conclusion: Providing a protein-enriched menu in conjunction with individualized dietary counseling significantly increased protein and energy intake in hospitalized patients at nutrition risk.

Original languageEnglish
JournalNutrition in Clinical Practice
Volume32
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)420-426
Number of pages7
ISSN0884-5336
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2017

    Research areas

  • Dietary proteins, Hospital food service, Malnutrition, Menu planning, Nutritional status

ID: 188755173