An Examination of Oral Fed Post-Trauma Patients for Calorie and Protein Consumption as a Percentage of Estimated Needs, and How it Impacts Length of Hospital Stay and Wound Healing
Due to rising costs of healthcare, clinicians are responsible for decreasing costs by providing care that moves the patient from injury, to recovery, to discharge within a matter of just a few days. The Registered Dietitian is responsible for the nutrition assessment and nutrition diagnosis, nutrition prescription and plan, and for monitoring the patient to achieve nutritional repletion within this short time frame. Concerns for patients who require nursing staff and caregivers for feeding are evident, especially when increased demands are being placed on the nursing staff. This study aims to determine whether or not “feeder patients” are at a higher risk for malnutrition, which could potentially result in delayed discharge, poor rate of wound healing, and increased costs to the institution