OPTICS OPTimal nutrition by Informing and Capacitating family members of best nutrition practices Educational Booklet for Families Version June 16 2014 Page 1 of 11
This information booklet was originally developed by the Clinical Evaluation Research Unit at Kingston General Hospital and revised by Cindy Orlicki, Nurse Educator, Intensive Care Unit, and Paula Eyles, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Patient Education, St Joseph s Hospital, Ontario, Canada. Version June 16 2014 Page 2 of 11
Feeding Your Family Member in the Intensive Care Unit This booklet contains information about: nutrition therapy and how it helps how nutrition therapy is given the types of nutrition therapy used What is nutrition therapy and how can it help? Since nutrition has the ability to improve one s condition and recovery in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), it is considered a therapy, much like medications and other treatments. Nutrition therapy means giving people the correct amount and type of nutrition. This helps by: improving wound healing boosting the immune system reducing the risk of infection helping the stomach work better improving recovery While in the ICU, your family member may be on a mechanical ventilator (breathing machine) to assist them with their breathing. While they are on the machine they will not be able to eat or drink and will have nutrition provided by a special liquid. The liquid contains protein, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins and minerals. It provides a balanced diet for your family member. Version June 16 2014 Page 3 of 11
How nutrition therapy is given There are many ways to give liquid food and your family member may receive: Tube feeding, where the liquid is given through a tube that goes directly into the stomach or bowel Intravenous (IV) feeding, where the liquid goes directly into the blood Combination of both tube and IV feeding 1) Tube Feeding Tube feeding is used if the stomach and bowels (intestines) are working normally. This type of nutrition follows the normal path of digestion. Tube feeding is part of the standard care in all ICUs. At first your family member may need to have all of the nutrition through a tube. As they get better, he/she may have some food by mouth and have less through the feeding tube. Side effects of tube feeding If the patient s stomach is not emptying properly, tube feeding may result in gastric reflux and aspiration (explained below): gastric reflux means the contents of the stomach move backwards into the food pipe aspiration means the contents of the stomach enter the airway and lungs These side effects can lead to problems such as pneumonia. How are the risks of tube feeding prevented? Members of the health care team take steps to help reduce the risks by: giving medication to help the stomach empty faster monitoring the volume of the stomach contents raising the head of the bed moving the feeding tube further into the bowel Version June 16 2014 Page 4 of 11
About nutrition formulas There are many types of formulas to choose from. The dietitian selects the best one for your family member. This depends on their medical condition and needs. Each person s nutrition needs are usually assessed daily in the ICU. The following decisions are made by the dietitian/medical team regularly: the best way to give nutrition the type of formula how quickly the formula should be given. Most often, the formula is given over 24 hours. when to cut down the rate of nutrition so that oral feeds can start 2) Intravenous (IV) feeding This type of nutrition is given by a thin tube going into a blood vessel (vein). Your family member may already have one of these types of tubes in for other treatments. This type of nutrition does not follow the normal digestive system. Your family member may need IV feeding if: they have severe stomach or bowel problems the stomach and part of the bowel are removed there were nutritional problems before surgery and your family member could not manage tube feeding there is a hole in the stomach or esophagus your family member is not doing well with tube feeding More about IV feeding The solutions used are complex and carefully made up during a sterile manufacturing process. Doctors and dietitians advise the pharmacist about your family member s specific nutritional needs. Your family member is monitored closely while having IV feeding. Version June 16 2014 Page 5 of 11
Your family member has blood tests done each day to check how well the nutrition is meeting his/her needs. When it is time for your family member to stop having IV feeding, the doctors and dietitian will slowly reduce the feeding. IV feeding can have side effects such as causing high blood sugar or liver problems but these are carefully monitored. Oral Nutrition When your family member is able to breathe on his/her own, the breathing tube will be removed. Once the tube is removed and your family member is awake and can swallow safely, he/ she will be encouraged to begin eating and drinking. Your family member s doctor and dietitian will decide when to remove the feeding tube or stop the IV feeding. Some patients will continue to get a reduced amount of nutrition through the tube as they begin to eat and drink. Most patients will start drinking first. When they are able, they will begin eating small meals and high energy snacks and drinks. As your family member continues their recovery on the ward, they will benefit from maintaining good nutrition intake. You can encourage them to eat and drink regularly. If you are concerned at any time that your family member is not receiving enough nutrition, please ask to speak with the nurse or dietitian. Version June 16 2014 Page 6 of 11
Things you can do to help your family member with nutrition Be prepared to answer questions about your family member s nutritional status before the illness, such as: What is his/her height and usual weight? Has there been any recent weight loss? Had your family member been eating normally over the past week or was there a loss of appetite? 2 to 3 days after nutrition has been started in the ICU ask the nurse if your family member is getting enough nutrition, such as: Are they being fed? Have they had any side effects from the feedings? Are they getting all the calories and protein they need? Should the head of the bed be raised? It is important to understand that the following is commonly seen in ICU patients and can happen to your family member At times it might be unsafe for your family member to receive more nutrition. Interruptions to nutrition happen due to procedures, tests and when coming off the ventilator. Once your family member gets better, he/she may not be able to eat regular food or drink liquids due to swallowing problems or risk of aspiration (contents of the stomach enter the airway and lungs). The medical team may ask that a swallowing specialist (speech language pathologist) see your family member to figure out the safest consistency of food for them to eat. Version June 16 2014 Page 7 of 11
When your family member is transferred to the ward, ask your family member and/or the nurse if they are getting enough nutrition, such as: How much should they be eating and drinking each day? Ask the nurse, dietitian or speech language pathologist what foods are safe for them to eat? How much food are they eating from each meal tray? Have they eaten any additional food not provided by the hospital? Have they had any problems eating while in hospital? If your family member is able to eat: You can encourage your family member to have small amounts often. Try to be present at some mealtimes to directly observe how much food your family member is actually eating. Record the amount of food and drinks eaten by your family member in the Nutrition Diary. Ask the nurse or dietitian what foods are okay to bring in. If you are concerned about your family member s nutrition while in the hospital, you may ask to see a dietitian for advice. If you have any questions about the OPTICs study, you can ask to talk with the researcher leading this study at your hospital. The researcher s name is: The contact number is: Version June 16 2014 Page 8 of 11
My Questions and Notes: Version June 16 2014 Page 9 of 11
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