Nutrition support for patients in long-term acute care and subacute care facilities.

Long-term acute care and subacute care facilities (also transitional care facilities) have evolved from the need to decrease costs associated with acute care in the hospital. As the length of stay in many medical centers has been reduced, patients are admitted to transitional care facilities to continue recovery and rehabilitation. Rehabilitation and recovery can be enhanced with the provision of optimal medical nutrition therapy. Nutrition screening is essential in identifying patients who are at risk of malnutrition or are malnourished. Nutrition assessment verifies the risk or presence of malnutrition followed by the development, implementation, and monitoring of nutrition intervention. Nutrition screening and intervention promote recovery from illness, minimize morbidity and mortality, and enhance quality of life. The goals of nutrition support are to prevent starvation-associated malnutrition, preserve lean tissue mass, support metabolic functions, and improve clinical outcomes. Oral nutrition is the preferred method of nourishment; however, specialized nutrition support is considered for patients unable to meet their nutrient requirements adequately. Enteral nutrition support is recommended when providing nutrition support however, parenteral nutrition support is used when the gastrointestinal tract can not be safely used. With appropriate intention, administration, and monitoring, nutrition support can be safely administered.