Effect of communal dining and dining room enhancement interventions on nutritional, clinical and functional outcomes of patients in acute and sub‐acute hospital, rehabilitation and aged‐care settings: A systematic review

Abstract

Aims: This review aimed to synthesise evidence on the impact of communal dining and/or dining room enhancement interventions on nutritional, clinical and functional outcomes of patients in hospital (acute or subacute), rehabilitation and residential aged-care facility settings. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched in March 2020. Included studies considered the impact of communal dining and/or dining room enhancements on outcomes related to malnutrition in hospital (acute or subacute), rehabilitation and residential aged care facility settings. Risk of bias was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics quality checklist. Overall quality was assessed using GRADEpro software. Outcome data were combined narratively for communal dining and dining room enhancements respectively. Results: Eighteen articles from 17 unique studies were identified. Of these studies, one was a randomised control trial (moderate quality) and 16 were observational studies (all low quality). Communal dining interventions (four studies, n = 490) were associated with greater energy and protein intake and higher measures of quality of life than non-communal mealtime settings. Dining room enhancement interventions (14 studies, n = 912), overall, contributed to increased intake of food, energy, protein and fluid. Conclusions: Results indicate that communal dining and/or dining room enhancement has a positive impact on several outcomes of interest, however, most available evidence is of low quality. Therefore, there is a need for further large-scale, well-designed experimental studies to assess the potential impacts of these interventions.

Structural and Managerial Risk Factors for COVID-19 Occurrence in French Nursing Homes

“…This result should be weighed against the fact that communal dining is associated with an increase in energy intake. 29 Room lockdown was implemented by nearly two-thirds of NHs, at the risk of a large impact on residents' quality of life. In one-quarter of NHs the residents did not even have daily access to an outdoors space.…”

Nutrition and Delirium

“…Patients value familiar routines and networks of support and encouragement from their health team as well as from their families and other patients [39]. Making opportunities for shared dining experiences and inviting family presence at mealtimes can help to normalise the mealtime experience and may improve intake [40,41]. Volunteers and healthcare assistants may also have a role in mealtime assistance and improving the mealtime experience [42][43][44].…”

Foodservice systems and mealtime models in rehabilitation: Scoping review

“…Mealtime care, covering all activities provided to support, assist and facilitate patients' mealtimes, is a key aspect in achieving optimal nutritional intake and in influencing a positive patient experience (McLaren‐Hedwards et al, 2021). This is particularly important in the rehabilitation setting where a high proportion of patients experience barriers to nutritional intake and are dependent on staff to access their food.…”