A multidisciplinary approach to providing blended diet within the acute setting

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Clinical Nutrition
• Healthcare Pathway Development

Background:

• Children with neurological impairment are surviving longer due to improved medical care.
• Enteral feeding with commercial formula is common, but families seek alternatives like blended diets.
• Blended diets aim to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms such as reflux and constipation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of safe and robust pathways for administering blended diets in acute hospital settings.
• To facilitate access to blended diets for children with neurological impairment within hospitals.
• To address the growing family interest in blended diet administration.

Main Methods:

• Establishment of a multidisciplinary working group (nursing, dietetics, catering).
• Conducting a scoping exercise to review existing practices in other health boards.
• Creation of standardized documentation and pathways for blended diet administration.

Main Results:

• Development of safe and robust documentation and pathways for blended diet access in a tertiary pediatric center.
• Pilot study initiation delayed due to COVID-19, but ongoing.
• Plans to train nursing staff for blended diet administration in ward settings.

Conclusions:

• Safe pathways for blended diet administration in acute pediatric settings have been established.
• Ongoing work includes piloting and staff training to support blended diet implementation.
• This initiative aims to improve the management of gastrointestinal symptoms in neurologically impaired children.