HOMEFOOD Randomised Trial–Six-Month Nutrition Therapy in Discharged Older Adults Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay at Hospital Up to 18 Months of Follow-Up

Berglind Soffía Blöndal; Ólöf Guðný Geirsdóttir; Þórhallur Ingi Halldórsson; Anne M. Beck; Pálmi V Jónsson; Alfons Ramel

doi:10.1007/s12603-023-1962-5

HOMEFOOD Randomised Trial–Six-Month Nutrition Therapy in Discharged Older Adults Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay at Hospital Up to 18 Months of Follow-Up

Berglind Soffía Blöndal, Ólöf Guðný Geirsdóttir, Þórhallur Ingi Halldórsson, Anne M. Beck, Pálmi V Jónsson, Alfons Ramel

University of Iceland, Landspitali

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is frequently observed in older adults and is associated with hospital readmissions, length of stay (LOS), and mortality in discharged patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of six-month nutrition therapy on hospital readmissions, LOS, mortality and need for long-term care residence 1-, 6-, 12- and 18-months post-discharge in older Icelandic adults. Design: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Paarticipants: Participants (>65 years) were randomised into intervention (n=53) and control (n=53) before discharge from a geriatric unit. Intervention: The intervention group received nutrition therapy based on the Nutrition Care Process, including home visits, phone calls, freely delivered energy- and protein-rich foods and supplements for six months after hospital discharge. Measurements: The Icelandic electronic hospital registry was accessed to gain information on emergency room visits (ER), hospital readmissions, LOS, mortality and need for long-term care residence. Results: The intervention group had a lower proportion of participants with at least one readmission compared to control (1 month: 1.9% vs 15.8%, P=0.033; 6 months: 25.0% vs 46.2%, P=0.021; 12 months: 38.5% vs 55.8%, P=0.051; and 18 months: 51.9% vs 65.4%, P=0.107). There was also a lower total number of readmissions per participant (1 month: 0.02 vs 0.19, P=0.015; 6 month: 0.33 vs 0.77, P=0.014; 0.62 vs 1.12, P=0.044) and a shorter LOS (1 month: 0.02 vs 0.92, P=0.013; 6 months: 2.44 vs 13.21; P=0.006; 12 months: 5.83 vs 19.40, P=0.034; 18 months: 10.42 vs 26.00, P=0.033) in the intervention group. However, there were no differences between groups in ER visits, mortality and need for long-term care residence. Conclusion: A six-month nutrition therapy in older Icelandic adults discharged from hospital reduced hospital readmissions and shortens LOS at the hospital up to 18-months post-discharge. However, it did neither affect mortality, ER, nor need of long-term care residence in this group.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	632-640
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging
Volume	27
Issue number	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-023-1962-5
Publication status	Published - 7 Aug 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: Funding statements: The study was funded by the Icelandic Research Fund (174250-051), the Research Fund of the University of Iceland, the Research Fund of Hrafnista, Research Fund of Hrafnista, and the Helga Jonsdottir and Sigurlidi Kristjansson Geriatric Research Fund. The grants were provided without any conditions. Funding Information: Acknowledgement: The authors want to thank the study staff for their dedicated work, i.e., Ósk Guðmundsdóttir, Elfa Björk Rúnarsdóttir, and Gunnhildur Olga Jónsdóttir as well as the Icelandic food companies Sláturfélag Suðurlands Ltd., Grimur kokkur Ltd., and MS Iceland Dairies for the collaboration and delivery of food items. The authors want to state that neither the above-mentioned funding entities nor the food companies were involved in study design, -conduct, statistical analysis, or paper writing. Publisher Copyright: © 2023, Serdi and Springer-Verlag International SAS, part of Springer Nature.

Other keywords

Nutrition status
mortality
oral nutrition supplements
readmission

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1007/s12603-023-1962-5

Cite this

Blöndal, B. S., Geirsdóttir, Ó. G., Halldórsson, Þ. I., Beck, A. M., Jónsson, P. V., & Ramel, A. (2023). HOMEFOOD Randomised Trial–Six-Month Nutrition Therapy in Discharged Older Adults Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay at Hospital Up to 18 Months of Follow-Up. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 27(8), 632-640. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-023-1962-5

@article{cd28229fa7644d828206427aaa205cf0,

title = "HOMEFOOD Randomised Trial–Six-Month Nutrition Therapy in Discharged Older Adults Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay at Hospital Up to 18 Months of Follow-Up",

abstract = "Background: Malnutrition is frequently observed in older adults and is associated with hospital readmissions, length of stay (LOS), and mortality in discharged patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of six-month nutrition therapy on hospital readmissions, LOS, mortality and need for long-term care residence 1-, 6-, 12- and 18-months post-discharge in older Icelandic adults. Design: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Paarticipants: Participants (>65 years) were randomised into intervention (n=53) and control (n=53) before discharge from a geriatric unit. Intervention: The intervention group received nutrition therapy based on the Nutrition Care Process, including home visits, phone calls, freely delivered energy- and protein-rich foods and supplements for six months after hospital discharge. Measurements: The Icelandic electronic hospital registry was accessed to gain information on emergency room visits (ER), hospital readmissions, LOS, mortality and need for long-term care residence. Results: The intervention group had a lower proportion of participants with at least one readmission compared to control (1 month: 1.9\% vs 15.8\%, P=0.033; 6 months: 25.0\% vs 46.2\%, P=0.021; 12 months: 38.5\% vs 55.8\%, P=0.051; and 18 months: 51.9\% vs 65.4\%, P=0.107). There was also a lower total number of readmissions per participant (1 month: 0.02 vs 0.19, P=0.015; 6 month: 0.33 vs 0.77, P=0.014; 0.62 vs 1.12, P=0.044) and a shorter LOS (1 month: 0.02 vs 0.92, P=0.013; 6 months: 2.44 vs 13.21; P=0.006; 12 months: 5.83 vs 19.40, P=0.034; 18 months: 10.42 vs 26.00, P=0.033) in the intervention group. However, there were no differences between groups in ER visits, mortality and need for long-term care residence. Conclusion: A six-month nutrition therapy in older Icelandic adults discharged from hospital reduced hospital readmissions and shortens LOS at the hospital up to 18-months post-discharge. However, it did neither affect mortality, ER, nor need of long-term care residence in this group.",

keywords = "Nutrition status, mortality, oral nutrition supplements, readmission",

author = "Bl{\"o}ndal, \{Berglind Soff{\'i}a\} and Geirsd{\'o}ttir, \{{\'O}l{\"o}f Gu{\dh}n{\'y}\} and Halld{\'o}rsson, \{{\TH}{\'o}rhallur Ingi\} and Beck, \{Anne M.\} and J{\'o}nsson, \{P{\'a}lmi V\} and Alfons Ramel",

note = "Funding Information: Funding statements: The study was funded by the Icelandic Research Fund (174250-051), the Research Fund of the University of Iceland, the Research Fund of Hrafnista, Research Fund of Hrafnista, and the Helga Jonsdottir and Sigurlidi Kristjansson Geriatric Research Fund. The grants were provided without any conditions. Funding Information: Acknowledgement: The authors want to thank the study staff for their dedicated work, i.e., {\'O}sk Gu{\dh}mundsd{\'o}ttir, Elfa Bj{\"o}rk R{\'u}narsd{\'o}ttir, and Gunnhildur Olga J{\'o}nsd{\'o}ttir as well as the Icelandic food companies Sl{\'a}turf{\'e}lag Su{\dh}urlands Ltd., Grimur kokkur Ltd., and MS Iceland Dairies for the collaboration and delivery of food items. The authors want to state that neither the above-mentioned funding entities nor the food companies were involved in study design, -conduct, statistical analysis, or paper writing. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023, Serdi and Springer-Verlag International SAS, part of Springer Nature.",

year = "2023",

month = aug,

day = "7",

doi = "10.1007/s12603-023-1962-5",

language = "English",

volume = "27",

pages = "632--640",

journal = "Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging",

issn = "1279-7707",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

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Blöndal, BS, Geirsdóttir, ÓG , Halldórsson, ÞI, Beck, AM, Jónsson, PV & Ramel, A 2023, 'HOMEFOOD Randomised Trial–Six-Month Nutrition Therapy in Discharged Older Adults Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay at Hospital Up to 18 Months of Follow-Up', Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, vol. 27, no. 8, pp. 632-640. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-023-1962-5

HOMEFOOD Randomised Trial–Six-Month Nutrition Therapy in Discharged Older Adults Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay at Hospital Up to 18 Months of Follow-Up. / Blöndal, Berglind Soffía; Geirsdóttir, Ólöf Guðný ; Halldórsson, Þórhallur Ingi et al.
In: Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, Vol. 27, No. 8, 07.08.2023, p. 632-640.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - HOMEFOOD Randomised Trial–Six-Month Nutrition Therapy in Discharged Older Adults Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay at Hospital Up to 18 Months of Follow-Up

AU - Blöndal, Berglind Soffía

AU - Geirsdóttir, Ólöf Guðný

AU - Halldórsson, Þórhallur Ingi

AU - Beck, Anne M.

AU - Jónsson, Pálmi V

AU - Ramel, Alfons

N1 - Funding Information: Funding statements: The study was funded by the Icelandic Research Fund (174250-051), the Research Fund of the University of Iceland, the Research Fund of Hrafnista, Research Fund of Hrafnista, and the Helga Jonsdottir and Sigurlidi Kristjansson Geriatric Research Fund. The grants were provided without any conditions. Funding Information: Acknowledgement: The authors want to thank the study staff for their dedicated work, i.e., Ósk Guðmundsdóttir, Elfa Björk Rúnarsdóttir, and Gunnhildur Olga Jónsdóttir as well as the Icelandic food companies Sláturfélag Suðurlands Ltd., Grimur kokkur Ltd., and MS Iceland Dairies for the collaboration and delivery of food items. The authors want to state that neither the above-mentioned funding entities nor the food companies were involved in study design, -conduct, statistical analysis, or paper writing. Publisher Copyright: © 2023, Serdi and Springer-Verlag International SAS, part of Springer Nature.

PY - 2023/8/7

Y1 - 2023/8/7

N2 - Background: Malnutrition is frequently observed in older adults and is associated with hospital readmissions, length of stay (LOS), and mortality in discharged patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of six-month nutrition therapy on hospital readmissions, LOS, mortality and need for long-term care residence 1-, 6-, 12- and 18-months post-discharge in older Icelandic adults. Design: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Paarticipants: Participants (>65 years) were randomised into intervention (n=53) and control (n=53) before discharge from a geriatric unit. Intervention: The intervention group received nutrition therapy based on the Nutrition Care Process, including home visits, phone calls, freely delivered energy- and protein-rich foods and supplements for six months after hospital discharge. Measurements: The Icelandic electronic hospital registry was accessed to gain information on emergency room visits (ER), hospital readmissions, LOS, mortality and need for long-term care residence. Results: The intervention group had a lower proportion of participants with at least one readmission compared to control (1 month: 1.9% vs 15.8%, P=0.033; 6 months: 25.0% vs 46.2%, P=0.021; 12 months: 38.5% vs 55.8%, P=0.051; and 18 months: 51.9% vs 65.4%, P=0.107). There was also a lower total number of readmissions per participant (1 month: 0.02 vs 0.19, P=0.015; 6 month: 0.33 vs 0.77, P=0.014; 0.62 vs 1.12, P=0.044) and a shorter LOS (1 month: 0.02 vs 0.92, P=0.013; 6 months: 2.44 vs 13.21; P=0.006; 12 months: 5.83 vs 19.40, P=0.034; 18 months: 10.42 vs 26.00, P=0.033) in the intervention group. However, there were no differences between groups in ER visits, mortality and need for long-term care residence. Conclusion: A six-month nutrition therapy in older Icelandic adults discharged from hospital reduced hospital readmissions and shortens LOS at the hospital up to 18-months post-discharge. However, it did neither affect mortality, ER, nor need of long-term care residence in this group.

AB - Background: Malnutrition is frequently observed in older adults and is associated with hospital readmissions, length of stay (LOS), and mortality in discharged patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate effects of six-month nutrition therapy on hospital readmissions, LOS, mortality and need for long-term care residence 1-, 6-, 12- and 18-months post-discharge in older Icelandic adults. Design: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Paarticipants: Participants (>65 years) were randomised into intervention (n=53) and control (n=53) before discharge from a geriatric unit. Intervention: The intervention group received nutrition therapy based on the Nutrition Care Process, including home visits, phone calls, freely delivered energy- and protein-rich foods and supplements for six months after hospital discharge. Measurements: The Icelandic electronic hospital registry was accessed to gain information on emergency room visits (ER), hospital readmissions, LOS, mortality and need for long-term care residence. Results: The intervention group had a lower proportion of participants with at least one readmission compared to control (1 month: 1.9% vs 15.8%, P=0.033; 6 months: 25.0% vs 46.2%, P=0.021; 12 months: 38.5% vs 55.8%, P=0.051; and 18 months: 51.9% vs 65.4%, P=0.107). There was also a lower total number of readmissions per participant (1 month: 0.02 vs 0.19, P=0.015; 6 month: 0.33 vs 0.77, P=0.014; 0.62 vs 1.12, P=0.044) and a shorter LOS (1 month: 0.02 vs 0.92, P=0.013; 6 months: 2.44 vs 13.21; P=0.006; 12 months: 5.83 vs 19.40, P=0.034; 18 months: 10.42 vs 26.00, P=0.033) in the intervention group. However, there were no differences between groups in ER visits, mortality and need for long-term care residence. Conclusion: A six-month nutrition therapy in older Icelandic adults discharged from hospital reduced hospital readmissions and shortens LOS at the hospital up to 18-months post-discharge. However, it did neither affect mortality, ER, nor need of long-term care residence in this group.

KW - Nutrition status

KW - mortality

KW - oral nutrition supplements

KW - readmission

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85166968949

U2 - 10.1007/s12603-023-1962-5

DO - 10.1007/s12603-023-1962-5

M3 - Article

SN - 1279-7707

VL - 27

SP - 632

EP - 640

JO - Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging

JF - Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging

IS - 8

ER -

HOMEFOOD Randomised Trial–Six-Month Nutrition Therapy in Discharged Older Adults Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Length of Stay at Hospital Up to 18 Months of Follow-Up

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Other keywords

UN SDGs

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