Effect of an Evidence-Based Nutrition Care Pathway for Cancer Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal and Pelvic Surgery

Den, E; Steer, B; Quinn, P; Kiss, N

Author(s): Den, E; Steer, B; Quinn, P; Kiss, N;
Details: Publication Year 2021-12,Volume 73,Issue #11-12,Page 2546-2553
Journal Title: Nutrition and Cancer
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: Malnutrition in gastrointestinal surgery is associated with poorer post-operative outcomes which may be mitigated by delivery of evidence-based nutrition care. This study reports on the development, implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based nutrition care pathway for lower gastrointestinal and pelvic cancer patients. A retrospective cohort study of 40 surgical lower gastrointestinal and pelvic cancer patients pre- and post-implementation of the pathway was conducted. Outcomes assessed were, care pathway adherence, weight change, time to post-operative commencement of nutrition, and post-operative length of stay. Post-implementation of the pathway there were significant improvements in the proportion of patients who received dietetic assessment and education pre-surgery (0% vs 55%, P < .001) at regular intervals during admission (35% vs. 90%, P < .001) and post-discharge (22.5% vs. 81.8%, P < .001). Mean weight change between admission and discharge reduced post-implementation (-3.5%, SD 4.7 vs, -5.6%, SD 4.7; P = 0.08). Post-operative length of stay remained similar (16 day, IQR 11-34.7 vs. 17.5 day, IQR 11.2-25; P = 0.71). Post-implementation a greater proportion of patients commenced oral or enteral nutrition within 24 h, post-operatively (75% vs. 57.5%, P = 0.1). The nutrition care pathway was an effective method for delivering evidence-based nutrition care, resulting in clinically but not statistically significant improvements in outcomes.
Keywords: Aftercare; *Critical Pathways; Humans; Length of Stay; *Neoplasms; Patient Discharge; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies
Department(s): Nutrition and Speech Pathology; Health Services Research
PubMed ID: 33138651
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2020.1839517
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2026-01-29 05:53:53

Last Modified: 2026-01-29 05:54:30