September 13, 2011 - A newly published consensus report prepared by a panel of clinical experts, with sponsorship from
Nestlé Health Science, reveals that there are opportunities to do more to manage the impact of obesity on the delivery of critical care, particularly in the area of nutrition therapy. With more than 25 percent of ICU patients considered to be obese or severely obese,1 the panel of clinical experts urges hospitals and medical professionals to adapt medical care traditionally designed to meet the needs of average-weight patients to the unique needs of the obese patient population. Patients with obesity, while heterogeneous as a population, are typically predisposed to greater morbidity, higher instances of infection and organ failure, and extended length of stay, all negative clinical outcomes that affect overall recovery.
“The lack of consistent standardized nutrition interventions for the critically ill patient with obesity means that some patients may be overfed and others may be underfed or malnourished. Some may never have their nutritional needs assessed. All of these scenarios can present problems with health outcomes and recovery rates,” said Dr Stephen McClave, M.D., professor of Medicine, University of Louisville, and moderator of the consensus panel.
The consensus report, published as a supplement to the September 2011 issue of the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (JPEN), explores multiple issues related to obesity in the critical care setting including the many challenges associated with applying standard nutrition therapy practice to the obese patient population. Areas of concern include assessment of nutritional status and nutrient requirements, as well as delivery of nutrients, including route of delivery, overfeeding of calories, underfeeding of protein and monitoring of feeding tolerance...
Nestlé's Press Release -
