Drug-nutrient interaction counseling programs in upper midwestern hospitals: 1986 survey results

A mail survey was conducted to determine the characteristics of drug-nutrient counseling programs provided to hospitalized patients. The survey population included general medical-surgical type hospitals with 175 or more bed capacity in five upper Midwestern states: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The average return from 289 surveys was 75%. A mean of 64% of responding hospitals provide patient counseling on drug-nutrient interactions. All statistical analysis was by chi-square. Calculations revealed that less than 50% of hospitals require a physician's order to provide drug-nutrient interaction counseling. More than 50% involve a registered dietitian in providing such counseling. The monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs were cited most frequently as the group of drugs for which counseling was needed. Other drug groups for which patient counseling is needed include: diuretics, anticoagulants, tetracyclines, oral hypoglycemics, insulin, antihypertensives and/or cardiac drugs, antibiotics, and corticosteroids. Having the dietitian or other dietary personnel scan the patient chart was cited most often as the preferred method for detection of patients taking the drugs. A final statistical calculation revealed that there is no difference between teaching and nonteaching hospitals in the number providing a drug-nutrient counseling program.