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Audit of supplement use on care of the elderly and rehabilitation wards
Author(s) -
Nolan A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-277x.1999.00188.x
Subject(s) - medicine , audit , pharmacy , rehabilitation , family medicine , physical therapy , management , economics
Summary Background : Increased awareness of malnutrition in hospital and community has led to increased use of nutrition support. However, questions about the use and effects of supplements have been raised. Aims : To audit the use of supplements on two care of the elderly/rehabilitation wards to check whether supplements were used and determine the level of wastage. Methods : The number of supplements used during the 2‐week audit period was calculated by examining the number of cartons on the first day of audit, recording the number of supplements sent by the pharmacy and counting the number remaining on the wards at the end of the audit period. Records were made of supplements prescribed and issued according to drug charts. In addition, nursing staff made regular measurements of supplement wastage during the audit period. Results : The number of patients taking supplements was lower than expected. However, a discrepancy arose, with more supplements being used than had been prescribed. A comparison of supplements prescribed with supplements unused showed a variation of 22–113%. Wastage of supplements was also variable, 24% for Entera and 45% for Enlive. Conclusions : Further work is needed to identify why supplements are wasted, develop guidelines for appropriate use of supplements and to educate ward staff.