Nutritional therapy in hospital.
10.5124/jkma.2014.57.6.491
- Author:
Hyun Wook BAIK
1
Author Information
1. Division of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. hbaik@dmc.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Malnutrition;
Nutrition therapy;
Health insurance reimbursement
- MeSH:
Hospitals, General;
Humans;
Insurance, Health, Reimbursement;
Korea;
Length of Stay;
Malnutrition;
Mortality;
National Health Programs;
Nutrition Therapy;
Prevalence;
Wound Healing
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2014;57(6):491-495
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Globally, the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitals is high. In Korea, a recent national survey in which 28 general hospitals throughout the country participated showed a 22% prevalence of hospital malnutrition. Malnutrition is associated with adverse outcomes including immune suppression, muscle wasting, delayed wound healing, infectious complications, longer hospital stays, high medical costs, and even increased mortality. Early implementation of nutritional therapy might improve medical outcomes. For early recognition of malnutrition and early nutritional intervention, a qualified nutrition support team (NST) is necessary. In Korea, 110 NSTs were at work as of 2013, mostly affiliated with large high-ranking hospitals. Since the activity of an NST and enteral formula are not reimbursed by the National Health Insurance Corporation, the potential for expansion of NSTs to rather small hospitals remains limited. To improve the quality of care for hospitalized patients and reduce medical expenses nationally, it is time to reform the system for alleviating in-hospital malnutrition.
