MANILA, Philippines - Patients and their loved ones intuitively rely on hospitals to offer the most ideal conditions to recover from sickness or injury. Even with the latest advances in modern medicine, however, a recent study conducted by St. Luke’s Hospital reveals that from a nine-year period (2000-2009), an average of 45.6 percent of patients were found to be malnourished while they were confined. This alarming figure does not even take into account the ripple effect caused by this undernourishment, namely slower recovery rates, longer medication periods, and, ultimately, deficient recuperation. In severe cases, the lack of optimal nutrition for recovering patients has directly contributed to fatalities.
Hospital malnutrition has become a disturbing trend not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well. In order to address this growing concern, the Abbott Nutrition Health Institute (ANHI) recently organized the 2nd Hospital Nutrition State of the Art Summit in Manila. This is in accordance with ANHI’s continuing commitment to educate health care professionals on the importance of nutrition as therapy to improve patient care and outcomes, advocating the role of science-based nutrition approaches in enhancing overall health, and collaborating with a community of partners dedicated to advancing care and bettering lives through therapeutic nutrition.
Over 70 hospital leadership teams consisting of physicians, nutritionists, and administrators representing nearly 26 hospitals from nine countries gathered together to compare notes and determine viable solutions to tackle this healthcare challenge. By implementing nutrition assessment tools for high-risk patients, offering universal nutrition screening, and by implementing progressive nutrition plans, hospitals can develop these nutrition centers of excellence that will especially benefit those under their monitored care.
At the press conference, Abbott Nutrition medical director Refaat Hegazi, MD from Columbus, Ohio gave a comprehensive overview on hospital malnutrition and its effects on patient welfare. Philippine Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (PhilSPEN) president Reynaldo Sinamban, MD gave examples of progressive nutrition support systems currently being implemented in domestic hospitals. Meanwhile, Abbott Nutrition Philippines general manager Thomas Karalis talked about Abbott’s involvement in seeing to unmet nutritional needs both in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.
To learn more about proper nutrition and to avail of free nutrition counseling, call Abbott Nutrition Solutions at 995-1555 or the toll free number 1-800-10-995-1555.