The Benefit of Supplemental Nutrition Education for Severely Malnourished Patients Awaiting Liver Transplant

Abstract

Introduction:

Nutritional interventions improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality in patients with cirrhosis by reducing infection risk, ascites, length of stay in hospital and intensive care unit, and mortality. Follow-up phone calls have been found to be useful in improving patient adherence to therapy.

Problem:

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine whether supplemental nutrition education would improve nutrition and outcomes among patients with cirrhosis who are undergoing a liver transplant evaluation. In addition, we sought to measure patient adherence with nutritional recommendations and whether patients perceived this additional education improved their nutrition status.

Methods:

The Plan-Do-Study-Ask methodology was used.

Processes:

Addressed 8 patients were enrolled to participate in the supplemental nutrition education, after which they received 3 follow-up phone calls. A retrospective review of data from 10 patients meeting project inclusion criteria were identified by the nutrition specialist and were used as a comparison group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; comparing data from before and after implementation of the supplemental nutrition education was done.

Outcomes:

At the end of the 8-week project period, 4 (66.7%) patients reported weight loss since the time of enrollment (nutrition education class), and the median patient-generated subjective global assessment score increased by 4 points, rather than decreasing as expected. However, all patients reported they believed the phone calls improved their nutrition status.

Implications:

With a multidisciplinary approach, this additional patient education may improve patient care and outcomes.