The effect of Nutrition Support Protocols on Patient Outcomes in Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review

Abstract

<strong>Introduction:</strong> Nutritional support is an essential component in the intensive care unit. ICU patients than other patients are susceptible to malnutrition, because of the severity and complexity of their care. The aim of this review was to determine the impact of implementing nutrition support on patient outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU). <strong>Methods:</strong> Articles include conferences, seminars and published articles in international journals by using standard and sensitive keywords such as nutrition support, intensive care unit and patient outcomes were reviewed. The articles published in journals, databases (Science direct, PubMed, Cochrane library, oxford, google Scholar, springer, Highwire, Ovid, Wiley, thieme, BMJ clinical evidence, MD consult, up to date) between the years 2003 - 2013 which included the quality control criteria for entry into systematic review. Then the articles which included the Inclusion criteria for entry into the study was selected and after the quality control were entered to a systematic review process. <strong>Results:</strong> From 1470 retrieved articles, seven articles were analyzed. However, Nutritional support has the positive effect on the delivery of nutrients to critically ill patients; but regarding the studies, different nutrition support algorithms will have a variety of consequences (hospital mortality, length of ventilation, ICU length of stay, and hospital length of stay) in various communities. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Using a programmed nutrition protocol based on evidence uses safe methods according to patients' needs and in appropriate time will provide better results while it will be accompanied with exact evaluation of nutrition status and improvement indicators.