| Theme | Protein-energy wasting and potentiality of NST in dialysis patients | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Nutrition & electrolyte support team at Kobe University Hospital | |
| Publish Date | 2013/07 | |
| Author | Kumiko Wakida | Department of Nutrition, Kobe University Hospital / Nutrition & Electrolyte Support Team, Kobe University Hospital |
| Author | Yasuhiro Hamada | Department of Nutrition, Kobe University Hospital / Nutrition & Electrolyte Support Team, Kobe University Hospital / Department of Therapeutic Nutrition, Institute of Health Bioscience, The University of Tokushima Graduate School |
| Author | Mayumi Horikawa | Department of Nutrition, Kobe University Hospital / Nutrition & Electrolyte Support Team, Kobe University Hospital |
| Author | Akiyo Toda | Department of Nutrition, Kobe University Hospital / Nutrition & Electrolyte Support Team, Kobe University Hospital |
| Author | Shinichi Nishi | Division of Nephrology and Kidney Center, Kobe University Hospital |
| Author | Makoto Usami | Department of Nutrition, Kobe University Hospital / Nutrition & Electrolyte Support Team, Kobe University Hospital / Division of Nutrition and Metabolism, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Science |
| [ Summary ] | Nutritional management is one key to medical care. However, many medical staff members, especially doctors, do not pay attention to this factor. For this reason, the concept of Nutrition Support Team (NST) was born in the U.S.A. in the 1970's. Recently, in Japan, NST have been established and play an important role in nutritional management at many hospitals. The nutrition support team at Kobe University Hospital has been named the "Nutrition & Electrolyte Support Team" (NEST) because management of electrolyte abnormalities as well as malnutrition are important from a clinical point of view. NEST consists of doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, clinical laboratory technologists, speech-language-hearing therapists and dental hygienists. The members of NEST make the rounds for approximately 20 patients daily and discuss their cases every Tuesday. In addition, dietitians visit patients on other days in order to examine dietary intake. In cases where patients are transfered, we send patient referral documents to the next hospital. It is essential that every NST member assists with appropriate nutritional management for all patients at every hospital. | |