Nutritional Implications of Liver Transplantation

Malnutrition is a common problem of patients undergoing liver transplantation. To treat malnutrition, it must first be identified through a nutritional assessment. Because many objective nutritional assessment parameters have limitations in end-stage liver disease, subjective nutritional indicators may be used as an alternative. Nutritional needs following transplantation are categorized as short and long term. The short-term nutritional goal, anabolism, can be complicated by the nutritional status of the patient, surgical procedures, and necessary medications. The increased nutrient needs during the early posttransplant phase require particular nutritional support. Nutrition-related problems following transplantation may include obesity, hyperlipidemia. hypertension, diabetes mellitus. hyperkalemia, edema, or osteoporosis. Dietetic advice relative to the nutritional needs of the liver transplant recipient can improve both the short- and long-term outcomes

Nutrition support teams: Institution, evolution, and innovation.

The historical institution, evolution, and innovations of nutrition support teams (NSTs) over the past six decades are presented. Focused aspects of the transition to transdisciplinary and patient-centered care, NST membership, leadership, and the future of NSTs are further discussed. NSTs were instituted to address the need for the safe implementation and management of parenteral nutrition, developed in the late 1960s, which requires the expertise of individuals working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary fashion. In 1976, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) was established using the multidisciplinary model. In 1983, the United States established the inpatient prospective payment system with associated diagnosis-related groupings, which altered the provision of nutrition support in hospitals with funded NSTs. The number of funded NSTs has waxed and waned since; yet hospitals and healthcare have adapted, as additional education and experience grew, primarily through ASPEN\u27s efforts. Nutrition support was not administered in some instances by the core of four (physician, nurse, dietitian, pharmacist). The functions may be carried out by a member of the core of four not associated with the parent discipline, in accordance with licensure/privileging. This cross-functioning has evolved into the adaptation of the concept of transdisciplinarity, emphasizing function over form, supported and enhanced by top-of-license practice. In some institutions, nutrition support has been incorporated into other healthcare teams. Future innovations will assist NSTs in providing the right nutrition support for the right patient in the right way at the right time, recognizing that nutrition care is a human right