The reported use of dietary supplements (sip feeds) in hospitals in Wessex, UK

Aims: To assess the prevalence of the use of supplements (sip feeds) in dis trict general, psychiatric and community hospitals in the formerWessex heal th region. Method: Cross sectional study of prevalence and determinants of supplement use in 10 district general hospitals (covering medical, surgical, orthopaed ic, and elderly specialities), 4 psychiatric hospitals and 3 community hosp itals. Results: Overall 14% of patients were being supplemented although the varia tion across hospitals and specialities was wide (0%-35%); elderly care pati ents within district hospitals were most likely to be supplemented (20%; ra nge 12-35%). In 34% of patients there was no documented reason as to why su pplements were given. 60% of patients were not weighed on admission; 70% di d not have a weight history recorded and 83% did not have a current weight recorded. Documentation regarding supplement use appeared to be recorded in an unsystematic manner. Conclusions: Many patients were not being weighed on admission and appeared to have no documentation as to why supplements were given. Given the impor tance of malnutrition in hospital patients a more evidence based, objective approach to assessing nutritional requirements, intake and support may be beneficial. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.