Evaluation of an intervention to improve nutrition intake in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery: A...

Timely and adequate nutrition after surgery is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an intervention, developed using an integrated knowledge translation approach, designed to improve oral intake among postoperative colorectal patients.

A pre/post, mixed-methods pilot study was undertaken at a tertiary teaching hospital in Australia. Patients who had undergone elective colorectal surgery and were admitted to the ward where 10 nutrition-related strategies had been implemented were included. Quantitative data, including patient demographics, timing and type of nutrition consumed, and protein and energy intake were collected pre- and post-intervention via chart audits, direct observations, and verbal clarification. Qualitative data on patient (n = 18) responses to the intervention were collected through one-on-one, semistructured interviews and analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Sixty-four patients were observed (30 pre- and 34 post-intervention). Significant improvements were seen for the following outcomes (presented as median [interquartile range], pre- versus post-intervention): time (h) to first dietary intake (15.7 [7.4-22.5] versus 4.9 [3.7-14.2]); patient energy intakes (kJ) on day 1 (1719 [947-2200] versus 3530 [2192-5169]) and day 2 (2506 [1071-3749] versus 4144 [2987-5889]); and patient protein intake (g) on day 1 (3.3 [1.8-11.2] versus 30.3 [20-45]) and day 2 (10.8 [3.5-29.9] versus 39.6 [30.7-59]). Prescription of free fluids as first diet type increased from 13% to 79% pre- and post-intervention, respectively. There were no significant differences in time (h) to first solid dietary intake (86.1 [60.1-104] versus 69.2 [46.1-115.5]) and overall proportion of patients who met both their estimated energy and protein requirements while in hospital pre- and post-intervention (22 versus 37%). Patients reported positive experiences with the intervention.

A multifaceted intervention developed using an integrated knowledge translation approach has the potential to improve oral intake in patients who undergo colorectal surgery. A larger-scale trial is required to confirm these findings and assess the effects of the intervention on clinical outcomes and costs.