Objectives: Several studies on hospital malnutrition have reported that malnutrition among patients is highly prevalent and that more than 40% of hospitalized patients have nutritional risk factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the implemen...
Objectives: Several studies on hospital malnutrition have reported that malnutrition among patients is highly prevalent and that more than 40% of hospitalized patients have nutritional risk factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of physicians' prescribed nutrition therapy before and after a protocol on nutrition therapy for malnourished inpatients was instituted. Methods: Data regarding the rates of physician implementation of nutritional therapy and the duration of therapy were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The percentages of physicians who prescribed nutrition therapy before and after the protocol was initiated were 47.5% and 74.6%, respectively, which statistically significant with 95% confidence. The rates of therapy lasting less than 24 hours before and after the protocol was in place were 100% and 86.4%, respectively, which was not statistically significant. This result suggests that the improvement activity was not effective. Conclusion : The percentage of physicians who prescribed nutritional therapy based on improved nutritional program was significantly increased. Nutrition therapy for malnourished inpatients can be advanced through this new model.