The Research on the Effect of Nutritional Stage-based Care Intervention in Elderly Patients with Severe Pneumonia

To evaluate the efficacy of a nutritional stage-based care intervention in improving outcomes for elderly patients with severe pneumonia.

A retrospective analysis of clinical data was conducted on 203 elderly patients with severe pneumonia admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to January 2023. All patients met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Upon admission, all patients received relevant symptomatic treatment and basic care. Based on the nutritional care intervention received by the patients, they were divided into a control group (n=101) and an observation group (n=102). The control group received routine nutritional care intervention, while the observation group received nutritional stage-based care intervention. The study compared the levels of organ recovery indicators (mechanical ventilation time, ICU hospitalization time), nutritional status indicators [serum albumin (Alb), prealbumin (PAB), hemoglobin (Hb)], immune function indicators [immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM)], blood gas status indicators [arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2)], and the occurrence of complications between the two groups.

Organ Recovery Indicators: The observation group showed significantly lower mechanical ventilation time and ICU hospitalization time compared to the control group (P < .05). Nutritional Status Indicators: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference in albumin (Alb), prealbumin (PAB), and hemoglobin (Hb) levels between the two groups (P > .05). After the intervention, the Alb, PAB, and Hb levels in the observation group were significantly higher than the control group (P < .05). Immune Function Indicators: Before intervention, there was no significant difference in IgA, IgG, and IgM levels between the two groups (P > .05). After intervention, the levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM in the observation group were significantly higher than the control group (P < .05). Blood Gas Status Indicators: Before intervention, there was no significant difference in PaO2 and PaCO2 levels between the two groups (P > .05). After intervention, the PaO2 level in the observation group was significantly higher, while the PaCO2 level was significantly lower compared to the control group (P < .05). Complication Incidence: The complication incidence in the control group was 25.74%, while in the observation group it was 9.80%, which was significantly lower (P < .05).

The application of nutritional stage-based care intervention in the management of elderly patients with severe pneumonia is shown to be highly beneficial. Compared to routine nutritional care, the nutritional stage-based approach significantly improved patients' nutritional status, immune function, blood gas conditions, and accelerated their organ recovery. Importantly, this intervention also led to a markedly lower incidence of complications. These findings suggest that incorporating nutritional stage-based care into standard treatment protocols for elderly patients with severe pneumonia may significantly enhance recovery rates and long-term health outcomes for this vulnerable patient population. Given the positive impact demonstrated in this study, the nutritional stage-based care intervention is worthy of broader clinical adoption and promotion.