Nutrition care practice patterns for patients with COVID‐19—A preliminary report

Ansu, Velarie; Papoutsakis, Constantina; Gletsu‐Miller, Nana; Spence, Lisa A.; Kelley, Kathryn; Woodcock, Lindsay; Wallace, Taylor C.; Steiber, Alison

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a respiratory virus that poses risks to the nutrition status and survival of infected patients, yet there is paucity of data to inform evidence‐based quality care. METHODS: We collected data on the nutrition care provided to patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). RESULTS: Hospitalized COVID‐19 patients (N = 101) in this cohort were older adults and had elevated body mass index. The most frequent nutrition problems were inadequate oral intake (46.7%), inadequate energy intake (18.9%), and malnutrition (18.4%). These problems were managed predominantly with enteral nutrition, food supplements, and multivitamin‐multimineral supplement therapy. Over 90% of documented problems required a follow‐up. CONCLUSION: This data set is the first of its kind to report on the types of nutrition diagnoses and interventions for COVID‐19 cases used by RDNs and highlights the need for increased and continued nutrition care.