Effect of an Evidence-Based Nutrition Care Pathway for Cancer Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal and Pelvic Surgery. (31st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Den, Elise; Steer, Belinda; Quinn, Phoebe; Kiss, Nicole
• Is Part Of: Nutrition and cancer. Volume 73:Number 11/12(2021)
• Page Start: 2546
• Page End: 2553
• Publication Date: 2021-12-31
• Subjects: Cancer -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Cancer; Nutrition; Periodicals; 616.9940654
• DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2020.1839517
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-5581

Abstract

Abstract: Malnutrition in gastrointestinal surgery is associated with poorer post-operative outcomes which may be mitigated by delivery of evidence-based nutrition care. This study reports on the development, implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based nutrition care pathway for lower gastrointestinal and pelvic cancer patients. A retrospective cohort study of 40 surgical lower gastrointestinal and pelvic cancer patients pre- and post-implementation of the pathway was conducted. Outcomes assessed were, care pathway adherence, weight change, time to post-operative commencement of nutrition, and post-operative length of stay. Post-implementation of the pathway there were significant improvements in the proportion of patients who received dietetic assessment and education pre-surgery (0% vs 55%, P < .001) at regular intervals during admission (35% vs. 90%, P < .001) and post-discharge (22.5% vs. 81.8%, P < .001). Mean weight change between admission and discharge reduced post-implementation (−3.5%, SD 4.7 vs, −5.6%, SD 4.7; P = 0.08). Post-operative length of stay remained similar (16 day, IQR 11–34.7 vs. 17.5 day, IQR 11.2–25; P = 0.71). Post-implementation a greater proportion of patients commenced oral or enteral nutrition within 24 h, post-operatively (75% vs. 57.5%, P = 0.1). The nutrition care pathway was an effective method for delivering evidence-based nutrition care, resulting in clinically but not statistically significant improvements in outcomes.