Analysis of hospital feeding practices at Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi Vietnam (1015.7)

Abstract

Background: Limited data on nutrition support practices in the hospital setting are available in the country of Vietnam.Methods: From October 2011‐December 2011, a collaboration between investigators from the U.S. and the Vietnamese National Institute of Nutrition enrolled 72 subjects admitted for elective GI surgery for this observational study at Bach Mai Hospital, a major Hanoi teaching hospital. Baseline height, weight, BMI, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), body weight status, and daily kcal and protein/amino acid intake from oral diet, tube feeding, and IV feedings from admission until discharge were recorded.Results: Mean age of subjects was 56±15 years and length of stay 12±5 days. 50% of subjects scored a B or C (moderate to severe malnutrition) on the SGA. BMI range was 13‐28; 48% had a BMI < 18.5. MUAC was low normal (24±4 cm). All subjects lost weight during admission. Almost all patients (98%) were fed using parenteral nutrition (PN) postoperatively with oral feeding starting on postoperative day 4. Tube feedings were used in only one patient. Mean daily total calorie intake was 15 kcal/kg/day and protein intake was 0.61g/kg/day. Minimal or no micronutrient supplementation was given to most patients.Conclusions: Study findings support the development of a nutrition intervention with feeding protocols to increase postoperative energy and micronutrient intake.