Novel Meal Service Improves Nutritional Intake

Radboud University Medical Center

Status: Completed

Conditions: Malnutrition

Treatments: Other: Meal service

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03195283

2015-1805

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to investigate whether a novel meal service FoodforCare (FfC), comprising 6-protein-rich meals a day following proactive advice from a nutritional assistant, improves dietary intake and patient satisfaction, compared to the traditional 3-meals a day service (TMS).

Full description

The investigators performed a quasi experimental study at medical (Gastroenterology) and surgical (Gynecology, Urology, Orthopedics) wards. Patients were offered TMS (July 2015 - May 2016; n=326) or FfC meal service (after stepwise introduction per ward from January 2016 - December 2016; n=311). Primary outcome was the mean percentage of protein and energy intake relative to requirements, between patients receiving TMS and those receiving FfC, on the first and fourth day of full oral intake. Patient satisfaction comprised rating of the experienced quality of the food and the meal service and by means of a validated questionnaire.

Enrollment: 637 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Dutch speaking
• Aged 18 years or older
• Exclusively oral intake
• Expected hospital stay of at least 1 day

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with tube- or parenteral feeding
• A language barrier
• Considered to be too weak to adequately answer our questions

Trial design

637 participants in 2 patient groups

Traditional meal service

Description:

TMS consists of three meals served by nutritional assistants throughout the day. Preference for dinner can be indicated in the morning by the individual patient from a menu list with predefined choices for meat, potatoes/rice/pasta and vegetables with various portion sizes.

Treatment:

Other: Meal service

FoodforCare

Description:

FfC consists of a 6-meals per day service. At bedside, patients are offered one or more small protein-rich dishes from a choice of 3. Nutritional assistants play a key role in recommending and delivering these protein-rich meals and assist patient in choosing the most optimal dish, based on the patient's nutrition order in the electronic patient record.

Treatment:

Other: Meal service