Article

A multi-centre, cross-sectional survey.
OBJECTIVES: To establish
and compare the resources allocated against existing national standards, and to
document current nutritional screening practices.
SETTING: Spinal cord injury
centres (SCICs) in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. METHODS: After
obtaining research ethics committee approval, 12 SCICs in the United Kingdom and
the Republic of Ireland were surveyed by a postal questionnaire. Data collected
included the number of whole time equivalent (WTE) staff available, whether a
nutrition team was present and the use of nutritional screening tools in the
SCIC. RESULTS: Eleven (92%) SCICs responded. In total there were 482 allocated
beds, and the average numbers of patients per WTE staff (s.d.), including
consultants, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and
psychologists, were recorded. Eight centres used a nutritional screening tool,
and only two centres had a clinical nutrition team. CONCLUSION: The resources
allocated to nutritional care in SCICs appear to be very limited. This suggests
that malnutrition will continue to be under-recognised and under-treated. There
is a clear need for additional resources to address the nutritional needs of this
special population group. Each SCIC should ensure regular access to nutritional
advice, and the establishment of local nutrition support teams should be a priority.
- Irlande - Royaume Uni

Langue : ANGLAIS