Nutritional Adequacy in Intensive Care Patients- A Pilot Study

Inadequate nutritional intake in critically ill patients can lead to complications resulting in increased mortality and healthcare costs. Several factors limit adequate nutritional intake in intensive care unit patients given enteral feedings.

This observational prospective study was performed in a 8-beded intensive care unit at a Multi Specialty Hospital at Puducherry with the objective of, To examine the adequacy of enteral nutritional intake and reason for interruptions. 25 patients were included in the study. Consecutive patients receiving mechanical ventilation and with no contraindication for initiation of enteral nutrition were considered for inclusion in the study. The patient's case sheet was prospectively followed to assess the Prescribed Versus Received Volume of enteral feed and interruption in enteral feeding. The amount (ml) of enteral feed prescribed and the amount actually delivered were recorded daily. The study was approved by the institution's review board.

mean age of the patients participated in the study were 49 years. Also this study included majority of males only (65%). 70% of the subjects were mechnically ventilated. All of the subjects had naso gastric tube for enteral nutrition. Mean prescibed volume was 1908 ml± 258ml, but the received volume was only 1658 ml± 210ml. It is significant at <0.1 level. The enteral feeding was not interrupted in 10 patients but in 7 patients it's interrupted for airway management and in 3 patients for GI Intolerance (vomiting and diarrhea), in 5 patients for surgical intervention.