Evaluation of the effect of an intervention on the nutritional status of hospitalized patients

Background and objectives: To compare the nutritional status of a population of hospitalized patients, divided into 2 different groups, both at admission and hospital discharge, and to assess the influence of nutritional alteration during the hospital stay. Material and methods: Quasi-experimental study comprising 2 groups of patients (N = 581); an intervention group (n = 303), in which nurses received specific training on managing care methodology, and a control group (n = 278), in which nurses continued their usual dynamics. Each group was made up of 2 care units with patients from both surgical and medical specialties. Inclusion criteria: patients admitted to the selected units with a minimum stay of 5 days. The sample selection was performed prospectively and consecutively after implementing the training. Results: Of the 581 patients studied, 49.4% were women and 50.6% were men. Mean patient age was 68.29 (SD 16.23) years. In the intervention group, the odds ratio (OR) associated with good nutritional status was multiplied by 1.7 (OR= 1.67) compared to the control group in the first evaluation and by 1.4 times (OR= 1.43) at hospital discharge. The average stay in days was higher in the control group (13.71, SD 10.19) than in the intervention group (10.89, SD 7.49) (P <.001). Conclusion: The systematic methodology-based intervention in the chosen units was positive. Patients admitted to the intervention units had a lower nutritional alteration and a shorter hospital stay than those admitted to the control units. (C) 2016 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.