Nutrition in the hospital setting

Emily Felicia Jan Ee SHEN.

Department of Gastroenterology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore

ABSTRACT

Nutrition is essential for human health. Malnutrition in the hospital setting is common, and often underrecognised. Malnutrition increases morbidity, length of stay and mortality in patients, and increases postoperative complications. Patients’ nutritional status should be screened upon admission and if there is evidence of a poor nutritional state, the patient should be referred for further evaluation and management. Nutritional requirements may vary in disease states and the route of feeding is dependent on the patient’s disease and organ function. These issues will be addressed in this review.

Keywords: Dietary requirement, feeding, malnutrition, stress factor

Correspondence author: Emily SHEN, Division of Gastroenterology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore.

E mail: efshen@hotmail.com

Brunei Int Med J. 2012; 8 (1): 12-18