USE, EFFICACY AND MONITORING OF ARTIFICIAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL

The implementation of circulated guidelines has been audited, by asses sing the extent to which nutritional goals were set and achieved and r ecording the levels of morbidity as a result of complications. Adults receiving artificial nutritional support were studied over a six month period. Nutritional assessment was used to determine adequacy of pres cription and efficacy of the support. Energy requirements were retrosp ectively calculated and compared with prescriptions and actual intakes . Complications and interruptions to the regimens which resulted in lo st feeding time were recorded, as were patient outcomes. Nutrient pres criptions were inadequate, delivery of prescriptions was incomplete an d thus nutrient supply inadequate.