The quality of nutritional care in hospitals: Austria, Switzerland, and Turkey compared

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the quality of nutritional care among Austria, Switzerland, and Turkey.

This was a cross-sectional multicenter study. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariate logistic regression (adjusted for age, sex, number of diagnoses, and care dependency) analyses were performed.

Taking part in the study were 6293 patients from 62 hospitals. The prevalence of risk for malnutrition and the patients was 14.5% in Austria, 16.5% in Switzerland, and 33.7% in Turkey. Standardized screening procedures were applied in 51.3% of Austrian, 53.6% of Swiss, and 38.4% of Turkish patients. The interventions applied in patients at risk varied significantly between Austrian, Swiss, and Turkish hospitals for all but two interventions. Referrals to dietitians were lower in Austria (35.8%) and Switzerland (37.7%) compared with Turkey (61%). Turkish patients received more frequent oral nutritional supplementation, an energy-protein-enriched diet, or parenteral nutrition compared with those in Austrian or Swiss hospitals. The differences in the quality of nutritional care between Austrian and Swiss hospitals were only marginal. Of at-risk patients, 15.3% in Austria, 11.4% in Switzerland, and 5.5% in Turkey did not receive any intervention.

The findings of this study indicated that significant differences exist in the prevalence, identification and treatment of malnutrition, and the fulfillment of structural quality indicators. Standards and guidelines need to be developed that can be used by all countries. The severity of the malnutrition situation in hospitals needs further attention in future management policies.