Improving Nutrition Practices in the Critically-Ill

Improving Nutrition Practices in the Critically-Ill: International Nutrition Survey 2011 is due to commence on May 11th (more information on www.criticalcarenutrition.com. Participating Irish ICU dietitians will be collecting data on nutritional status and nutritional processes for 20 critically ill patients over 12 days and 60 day outcomes. Data will be entered online over a period of 2-3 months using a web-based data collection tool.

At the end of the study, participating ICU’s will receive a benchmarked performance report, highlighting any strengths and opportunities for improvement, in comparison to other ICUs throughout the World, to the Canadian guidelines and to their previous ICU site reports (if participated before).

Sharing experiences and results have been particularly useful previously. It is hoped to hold a meeting for participants once results have been received - to share our results and learn from eachother. This might be tagged onto a Nutrition Support Interest Group Meeting (would be open to non-members), or a separate meeting may be organised. If you are participating in this year's survey, and would like to attend such a meeting, please forward myself or Niamh Smyth (niamh.smyth@amnch.ie) your name and e-mail address.

Once we can ascertain the interest, we'll be in contact at a later date re meeting details.

Regards,
Carmel O'Hanlon
Clinical Specialist Dietitian