Nutrition support for critically ill patients in China: role of the pharmacist.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The participation of a nutrition support pharmacist (NSP) in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) for patients receiving nutrition support therapy (NST) may lead to more favourable outcomes and fewer complications and adverse events. However, few studies have demonstrated the role of NSPs in MDTs in China. To investigate pharmacy interventions and physician acceptance of these interventions for patients receiving NST in an intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

A prospective study over a 12-month period was conducted in an ICU at an academic hospital in China. Interventions were documented and divided into the following categories: indication of NST, parenteral nutrition (PN) prescription and delivery, enteral nutrition (EN) route and formulation, fluids and electrolytes, laboratory test monitoring, nutritional supplements, and other medication-related problems. Data regarding the intervention categories, timing, acceptance rates, and methods of communication to discuss pharmacy interventions were collected.

RESULTS

In total, 247 interventions for 120 patients were identified. The overall acceptance rate of interventions was 85.0% (210/247), and more than half of the interventions (143, 57.9%) were performed during daily follow-up. The most common intervention categories were PN prescription and delivery (81/247, 32.8%), EN route and formula (33/247, 13.4%), indication of NST (33/247, 13.4%), and nutritional supplements (30/247, 12.1%). The most accepted intervention category was PN prescription and delivery (79/81, 97.5%), and the most common method of communication was oral communication during MDT rounds (201/247, 81.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the unique perspectives offered and importance of having pharmacists as members of MDTs.