Structure and organisation of 47 nutrition support teams in Germany: a prospective investigation in 2000 German hospitals in 1999.

Abstract

Evaluation. Contrary to the Anglo-American region, very little is known in Germany on the structure and organisation of nutrition support teams (NST). Prospective investigation of the structure and organisation of German NST, using standardised interview questionnaires. Hospitals with more than 250 beds in Germany. German NST (n=47). Face-to-face interview in 1999, using a standardised questionnaire. From a total of 2000 German hospitals, NST have been established at 47 hospitals (2.3%). Most NST are affiliated to a large university hospital or an academic teaching hospital. In general, the NST are not independently operating units but are affiliated to a special discipline, and were in operation for an average of 8 y. The NST cared for a median of 65 outpatients annually. At the university hospitals in average, 477 in-patients were treated per year, at the teaching hospitals 400 and at all other hospitals 179. The work of the NST centred on enteral nutrition. A total of 47% of the physicians, 19% of the nurses and 19% of the dietitians in the NST held a nutrition-specific additional qualification. A total of 2% of the physicians, 68% of the nurses and 77% of the dietitians are exclusively responsible for the NST. More than 70% of the financing of the personnel was secured through third-party funds. In Germany, neither uniform nor comprehensive patient care by NST existed in 1999. More than 50% of all NST members do not hold a nutrition-specific additional qualification. Frequently, besides their tasks in the team, the NST staff also carries out other clinical functions. Contrary to the American NST, the German NST are not interdisciplinary operating units but are primarily financed through third-party funds of the industry.