An evaluation of the nutritional status and requirements of patients on an acute colorectal ward

Abstract

requirements and 6%(n¼2) met estimated energy and protein requirements. Patients on GICU had a mean cumulative deficit of 3439 kCal, 169 g protein and patients on CICU had a mean cumulative deficit of 2173 kCal, 203 g protein. Feed was stopped for a mean of 48 hours per patient (range 8e101 hours), which equated to 15% of total feed time for GICU patients and 19% of total feed time for CICU patients. The primary cause of interruptions to feeding was airway procedures, followed by surgical procedures. The cause for 230 hours of stoppage could not be identified.