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Cost-effectiveness of nutritional support in the elderly
1Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospital, UK.
The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Nutritional support significantly benefits elderly patients by reducing mortality and hospital stays. Effective implementation requires integrated management strategies, including risk screening and tailored nutritional policies.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Elderly patients are susceptible to malnutrition, impacting health outcomes.
- Effective nutritional support is crucial for improving geriatric care.
- Identifying at-risk elderly individuals is key for timely intervention.
Observation:
- Nutritional support demonstrably reduces mortality and morbidity in the elderly.
- Integrating nutritional interventions into overall patient management enhances efficacy.
- Screening protocols and specific nutritional policies are vital components.
Findings:
- High-energy meals, snacks, and supplements offer substantial benefits at minimal cost.
- Artificial nutrition (enteral or parenteral) is highly effective when managed by expert teams.
- Careful patient selection is essential to maximize the benefits of artificial feeding.
Implications:
- Implementing comprehensive nutritional strategies can improve elderly patient outcomes.
- Investment in nutritional support is cost-effective, yielding significant health benefits.
- Specialized teams are crucial for optimizing artificial nutrition delivery and patient care.