ABSTRACT
In hospitalized patients, protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) contributes signi˜cantly to development of complications, increased length of hospital stay, and cost of hospital care (Brugler et al. 2002). Forty-four percent of acute care patients over the age of 65 have been found to be at moderate risk for malnutrition (Azad et al. 1999). In community hospitals, 30%–55% of patients have been found to be at risk for malnutrition (Brugler et al. 1999). Similar statistics have been reported for more than 30 years (Bistrian et al. 1976; Mullen et al. 1979). Malnutrition is a comorbidity that worsens during hospitalization, and increases length of stay, complications, and mortality. The identi˜cation and treatment of malnutrition has led to positive outcomes in terms of patient recovery and cost of care (Brugler et al. 1999). Early screening, assessment, and treatment of malnourished patients has been shown to reduce the length of hospital stay (Kruizenga et al. 2007). Reduced numbers of infections and decreased length of stay (LOS) can result when elective gastrointestinal surgery and surgical critical care patients undergoing a major operation are given early postoperative enteral nutrition compared to similar patients receiving no nutrition support therapy (Lewis et al. 2001).
