Abstract/Text: BACKGROUND: The provision of nutritional support for patients in intensive care units (ICUs) varies widely both within and between institutions. We tested the hypothesis that evidence-based algorithms to improve nutritional support in the ICU would improve patient outcomes.
METHODS: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was performed in the ICUs of 11 community and 3 teaching hospitals between October 1997 and September 1998. Hospital ICUs were stratified by hospital type and randomized to the intervention or control arm. Patients at least 16 years of age with an expected ICU stay of at least 48 hours were enrolled in the study (n = 499). Evidence-based recommendations were introduced in the 7 intervention hospitals by means of in-service education sessions, reminders (local dietitian, posters) and academic detailing that stressed early institution of nutritional support, preferably enteral.
RESULTS: Two hospitals crossed over and were excluded from the primary analysis. Compared with the patients in the control hospitals (n = 214), the patients in the intervention hospitals (n = 248) received significantly more days of enteral nutrition (6.7 v. 5.4 per 10 patient-days; p = 0.042), had a significantly shorter mean stay in hospital (25 v. 35 days; p = 0.003) and showed a trend toward reduced mortality (27% v. 37%; p = 0.058). The mean stay in the ICU did not differ between the control and intervention groups (10.9 v. 11.8 days; p = 0.7).
INTERPRETATION: Implementation of evidence-based recommendations improved the provision of nutritional support and was associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Abstract/Text: PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diarrhea is a common and problematic complication of enteral nutrition, about which there has been considerable recent research. This article briefly reviews the mechanisms of diarrhea during enteral nutrition and then critically appraises the recent and emerging evidence for the prevention and management of this distressing complication.
RECENT FINDINGS: For many years, fiber was extensively investigated for its role in preventing diarrhea; however, a more recent focus has been the investigation of specific fiber blends, including soluble fibers and prebiotics, for which there is now considerable quality evidence. Enteral nutrition may result in deleterious effects on the gastrointestinal microbiota, including reductions in bifidobacteria and key butyrate producers. Their modulation by prebiotics has been confirmed in studies on healthy individuals, but convincing evidence in acutely ill patients is required. Probiotics have undergone extensive recent research and their effect on preventing diarrhea in enteral nutrition would seemingly be strain dependent. Further research is required on systematic approaches to treating diarrhea during enteral nutrition.
SUMMARY: A number of factors contribute to the pathogenesis of diarrhea in enteral nutrition, meaning that approaches to its prevention and management are necessarily multifaceted. Approaches to prevent diarrhea during enteral nutrition, and a clinical algorithm to manage it, are now presented.