The effect of nutritional protocols on mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care unit: A randomised controlled study

Abstract

Introduction: Critically ill patients are prone to develop malnutrition which is a major contributory factor to the already existing burden of morbidity and mortality. Early nutrition support is an effective therapy to prevent malnutrition when patients are unable to take oral nutrition. Aim: To determine the effectiveness of a nutrition support protocol versus non-protocol management on initiating nutrition support in ICU patients. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted on fifty critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation with twenty five patients in each group. Nutrition protocols were followed in Group I patients and group II comprised of nonprotocolised patients. Results: Hospital stay for group I patients was 22.7 days while group II patients stayed for 31.9 days (p-value Conclusion: Patients in whom nutrition support protocols were followed received enteral nutrition earlier, had early weaning from ventilator, spent less time in ICU as well as hospital and had lesser complications with low mortality. Keywords: Enteral nutrition, Nutrition protocol, Malnutrition, Mechanical ventilation, ICU.