[Nutritional Support Groups in a hospital setting. The Cuban experience]

Area of Science:

• Clinical Nutrition
• Hospital Management
• Medical Education

Background:

• Disease-associated malnutrition is a significant institutional health problem.
• Effective nutritional support requires a multidisciplinary approach.
• Addressing myths and fallacies is crucial for optimal patient nutriture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the 8-year results of a Nutritional Support Group (NSG) in Havana.
• To highlight the development and impact of a Metabolic, Nutritional and Feeding Intervention Program (PRINUMA).
• To demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of enteral nutrition as a primary intervention.

Main Methods:

• The NSG focused on three domains: medical care, teaching, and research.
• Implementation of the PRINUMA across the institution.
• Prioritizing enteral nutrition and challenging outdated practices.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated feasibility and benefits of enteral nutrition in selected cases.
• Successfully integrated nutritional support and artificial nutrition into the institution's R&D.
• Established PRINUMA as an institutional program to combat malnutrition.

Conclusions:

• The NSG's model is effective in improving patient nutritional care.
• The PRINUMA provides a framework for addressing institutional malnutrition.
• The NSG's methodology can serve as a platform for external assessment.