Digital divide or digital exclusion? Do allied health professionals' assumptions drive use of telehealth?

INTRODUCTION: Telehealth use within allied health services currently lacks structure and consistency, ultimately affecting who can, and cannot, access services. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing allied health professionals' (AHP) selection of consumers and appointments for telehealth. METHODS: This study was conducted across 16 allied health departments from four Australian hospitals. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 58 AHPs. Analysis was underpinned by Qualitative Description methodology with inductive coding guided by Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Six themes were identified that influenced AHPs' evaluation of telehealth suitability and selection of consumers. These included the following: (1) ease, efficiency and comfort of telehealth for clinicians; (2) clear benefits of telehealth for the consumer, yet the consumers were not always given the choice; (3) consumers' technology access and ability; (4) establishing and maintaining effective therapeutic relationships via telehealth; (5) delivering clinically appropriate and effective care via telehealth; and (6) external influences on telehealth service provision. A further theme of 'assumption versus reality' was noted to pervade all six themes. DISCUSSION: Clinicians remain the key decision makers for whether telehealth is offered within allied health services. Ease and efficiency of use is a major driver in AHP's willingness to use telehealth. Assumptions and pre-conceived frames-of-reference often underpin decisions to not offer telehealth and present major barriers to telehealth adoption. The development of evidence-based, decision-support frameworks that engage the consumer and clinician in determining when telehealth is used is required. Services need to actively pursue joint decision-making between the clinician and consumer about service delivery preferences.

A longitudinal analysis of resting energy expenditure and body composition in people with spinal cord injury undergoing surgical repair of pressure injuries: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Data informing energy needs of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and pressure injuries are scarce, the impact of surgical repair unknown, and the role of body composition in healing unexplored. The study aims were to investigate resting energy expenditure (REE) over the course of pressure injury surgical repair, compare with available energy prediction equations, and explore associations between body composition and wound healing. METHODS: Indirect calorimetry measured REE pre-surgery, post-surgery, at suture removal and hospital discharge. A clinically significant change was defined as +/-10% difference from pre-surgery. Eight SCI-specific energy prediction equations were compared to pre-surgery REE. Wound breakdown (Yes/No), weight, waist circumference (WC), and body composition (fat mass [FM], fat-free mass [FFM], bioimpedance spectroscopy) were measured. RESULTS: Twenty people underwent pressure injury surgical repair (95% male, mean age 56 ± 12 years, 70% paraplegia). Between pre-surgery and discharge, mean REE increased (+118 kcal/d, p = 0.005), but with <10% change at any timepoint. An energy prediction equation incorporating FFM showed greatest agreement (rc = 0.779, 95% CI: 0.437, 0.924). Those with wound breakdown (65%) had a higher weight (12.7 kg, 95% CI: -4.0, 29.3), WC (17.8 cm, 95% CI: -5.1, 40.7), and FM % (36.0% [IQR 31.8, 40.2] vs 26.0% [IQR 15.6, 41.3]) than those without wound breakdown, although statistical significance was not reached. CONCLUSION: The presence of pressure injuries and subsequent surgical repair did not impact REE and energy prediction equations incorporating FFM performed best. While not statistically significant, clinically important differences in body composition were observed in those with wound breakdown.

The frequency of nutrition impact symptoms and reduced oral intake among consecutive COVID-19 patients from an Australian health service.

COVID-19 symptoms range from severe respiratory failure to mild anorexia, cough and smell and taste alterations, adversely impacting nutritional intake. The aim of this paper was to establish malnutrition risk, Nutrition Impact Symptoms (NIS) and associations with reduced oral intake. A retrospective observational cohort of all people testing positive for COVID-19 was conducted. Malnutrition risk, nutritional status, weight, reduced oral intake and NIS on and during admission were collected. Dietetic consultation frequency and mode were captured. Some 80% (48/60) of participants reported at least one NIS, and 58% (25/60) reported two or more. Most frequent reported symptoms were cough (60%), sore throat (35%) and reduced appetite (28%). Significant associations existed between ≥2 NIS (p=0.006), reduced appetite (p=0.000) and reduced oral intake, with 20% requiring ongoing nutrition support and consultation. High NIS prevalence confirms systematised nutrition support pathways are indicated through incorporation into standard care across the healthcare continuum, including community care.

Predictors of nutrition care process knowledge and use among dietitians internationally.

BACKGROUND: The nutrition care process (NCP) and its associated standardised terminology (NCPT, referred to collectively as NCP/T) forms a problem-solving framework fundamental to dietetic practice. Global implementation would assist in confirming outcomes from dietetic care, but implementation rates have varied between countries. We investigated which factors predict NCP/T knowledge and use among dietetic professionals in an international cohort, aiming to understand how implementation can be strengthened. METHODS: The validated International NCP Implementation Survey was disseminated to dietitians in 10 countries via professional networks. Implementation, attitudes and knowledge of the NCP/T along with workplace and educational data were assessed. Independent predictive factors associated with higher NCP/T knowledge and use were identified using backward stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: Data from 6149 respondents was used for this analysis. Enablers that were independent predictors of both high knowledge and frequent use of NCP/T were peer support, recommendation from national dietetic association and workplace requirements (all p < 0.001). Country of residence and working in clinical settings (p < 0.001) were demographic characteristics that were independent predictors of high knowledge and frequent use of NCP/T. A high knowledge score was an independent predictor of frequent NCP/T use (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Important modifiable enablers for NCP knowledge and use rely on organisational management. National dietetic organisations and key stakeholders such as employers are encouraged to integrate active NCP/T support in their leadership initiatives. This could take the form of policies, formalised and structured training strategies, and informatics initiatives for the integration in electronic health records.

Pilot investigation shows high sensitivity and specificity using an Abridged Subjective Global Assessment without physical examination in a tertiary hospital; pertinence for use amongst those without COVID-19 when physical distancing required during the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Completing malnutrition assessments when physically distant has been an immediate challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even during periods of physical distancing, continuing nutrition assessments amongst those without COVID-19 is vital given that high malnutrition prevalence exists in clinical settings. The investigation aim was to assess the reliability of utilising the validated Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) tool, without compared to with physical examination. METHODOLOGY: Original paper-based SGA documentation from a hospital-wide audit was reassessed by a blinded experienced clinician using history alone without reviewing documented physical examination. Participants included adults admitted to a tertiary hospital with no maternity or obstetric services. Those terminally ill, undergoing end-of-life palliative care, with disordered eating or admitted to emergency or intensive care units were excluded. McNemar's test assessed paired categorical data. Cohen's kappa coefficient assessed inter- and intra-rater reliability. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were completed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in malnutrition identification (p < 0.454) with 97% (473/489) of assessments identical. High sensitivity (87.2%, 68/78), specificity (98.9%, 405/411), positive (91.9%, 68/74) and negative (97.6%, 405/415) predictive values were evident. High inter- and intra-rater reliability was confirmed (kappa values 0.875 and 0.987). CONCLUSION: The Abridged-SGA utilising the four key factors of the SGA history identified many malnourished amongst those without COVID-19 who otherwise would not be identified when physical distancing is required due to the pandemic. It did not overestimate malnutrition. Until alternative means of assessing physical parameters remotely are validated, the pragmatic value of practitioners' judgement when utilising the Abridged-SGA was confirmed.

Capitalising on opportunities: Malnutrition coding in hospital before and after the introduction of electronic health records with an embedded malnutrition screening tool.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: During conversion from paper to electronic documentation at a tertiary hospital, the Malnutrition Screening Tool was embedded into the electronic health record (e-HR) with nursing staff's completion continued as part of admission procedures with dietetic referrals automated. Currently, the impact of e-HR implementation on malnutrition identification is unknown. Consequently, this retrospective pre-test post-test study compared one year of malnutrition coding in a tertiary teaching hospital two years before and after e-HR implementation automating malnutrition screening referrals to dietitians with subsequent malnutrition assessment completion. METHODS: Eligibility included adults (≥18yrs) admitted overnight or longer during the 2013/2014 and 2017/2018 financial years. Requested hospital data included demographics, admission data and coding for malnutrition and dietitian intervention. Eligible admissions prior to e-HR implementation were classified as pre-e-HR group, with admissions after classified as post-e-HR. Descriptive, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney U and independent samples t-tests were used to compare groups. RESULTS: Patient admissions pre-e-HR (n = 37,143) and post-e-HR (n = 36,625) implementation were clinically similar in age, gender and length of stay (57 ± 19 years, 60% male, 3 (1-918) days). However, the numbers of admissions coded annually with malnutrition increased by 47% from 1436 to 2116 following e-HR implementation (p < 0.001). The proportion of eligible patients who were malnourished on admission and not seen by a dietitian during admission decreased one third from 6.5% to 4.8% (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition coding increased by 47% after an e-HR implementation with an embedded malnutrition screening tool that automated referrals to dietitians impacting the identification of care to optimize nutritional status.

Variances of dietary preparation for suppression of physiological 18F-FDG myocardial uptake in the presence of cardiac sarcoidosis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is used in the diagnosis and management of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Various preparation protocols have been proposed to minimise myocardial 18F-FDG uptake and improve scan readability. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the optimal dietary prescription for suppression of physiological 18F-FDG myocardial uptake to enhance clinical diagnosis of CS. METHODS AND RESULTS: MEDLINE and PubMed databases identified 13 studies meeting inclusion criteria for review. Articles were assessed using the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council levels of evidence and categorised as sarcoidosis (human) or non-sarcoidosis (human, animal). Visual uptake scales (qualitative) and/or standardised uptake values (SUV) (quantitative) were used in all the studies reviewed. Nine of 11 human studies showed statistically significant improvements in PET scan interpretation with carbohydrate-restricted diets compared with fasting only, and when carbohydrates were restricted for a longer period of time. Two animal studies showed statistically significant improvements following very low carbohydrate diet preparation (0.01% and 0.4% carbohydrate diets) compared with higher carbohydrate diets. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in measures used, dietary prescriptions, fasting times, species and study quality makes result comparison and applicability difficult. Definitive dietary recommendations are not possible based on current evidence.

Impact of television on nutritional intake in communal dining room settings among those with acquired brain injury: A pilot study.

AIM: Those with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience impairments in executive function, attention and concentration that may contribute to or exacerbate poor nutritional intakes. This is frequently observed in long-stay rehabilitation settings. This investigation aimed to identify the specific impact of the dining room television as a factor that exacerbates poor intake and nutritional status among those with ABI. METHODS: Routine meal audits were completed (six television on, six television off) over four non-consecutive days. Each individual's protein and energy intake per meal and day were assessed, and the differences were examined through paired t-tests. Dining room decibels were measured, with means, peaks and minimums recorded. RESULTS: Complete data for 12 meals were collected for seven individuals. Clinically, but not statistically significant increases in 48-hour protein and energy intake occurred with television off compared with on, including those requiring texture modified diets. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot investigation highlights that television may have a detrimental impact on nutritional intakes among those with ABI. Given the negligible costs and risk, minimising disruptive influences by turning the television off may become a recommendation for ABI in long-care rehabilitation settings.

Dietetics in the digital age: The impact of an electronic medical record on a tertiary hospital dietetic department.

AIM: The present study aimed to assess the impact of a hospital-wide electronic medical record (EMR) on the way dietitians collect routine data for their assessments and its impact on their clinical documentation and service provision. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from the following sources: interdepartmental chart audit, the EMR itself (nutrition diagnosis), National Health Roundtable database (admissions requiring nutrition events) and the hospital-wide Pressure Injury Prevention Audits (height, weight and malnutrition screening). RESULTS: There were improvements in medical record accessibility (76.4% pre vs 100% post, P < 0.001), awareness of medical alerts (82.5% unaware pre vs 34.5% unaware post) and legibility of documentation (53.8% pre vs 99.2% post, P < 0.001). Improvements in accessing medical charts under 1 minute also occurred (65.8% pre vs 99.2% post, P < 0.001). The percentage of nutrition diagnoses resolved during admission increased from 20.0% in February 2016 to 34.0% in August 2017. A 72.0% increase in admissions requiring nutrition interventions was found with 4075 admissions pre- and 7035 post-EMR implementation. Time spent per nutrition event reduced by 22.0% (118 minutes pre and 92 minutes post). Hospital audit data revealed mean height and weight collected increased from 79.3 ± 3.8% (n = 8 audits totalling 3041/3834 patients) to 86.0 ± 2.6% (n = 5 audits totalling, 2544/2958 patients) post-EMR with malnutrition screening completion increasing from 57.5% to 74.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that EMR implementation has the potential to benefit the dietetic profession due to the potential to enhance the capacity and efficiency of dietetic departments.

Malnutrition, poor food intake, and adverse healthcare outcomes in non-critically ill obese acute care hospital patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obesity, defined as a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, has demonstrated protective associations with mortality in some diseases. However, recent evidence demonstrates that poor nutritional status in critically ill obese patients confounds this relationship. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if poor nutritional status, poor food intake and adverse health-related outcomes have a demonstrated association in non-critically ill obese acute care hospital patients. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the Australasian Nutrition Care Day Survey dataset (N = 3122), a prospective cohort study conducted in hospitals from Australia and New Zealand in 2010. At baseline, hospital dietitians recorded participants' BMI, evaluated nutritional status using Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and recorded 24-h food intake (as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the offered food). Post-three months, participants' length of stay (LOS), readmissions, and in-hospital mortality data were collected. Bivariate and regression analyses were conducted to investigate if there were an association between BMI, nutritional status, poor food intake, and health-related outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 3122 participants, 2889 (93%) had eligible data. Obesity was prevalent in 26% of the cohort (n = 750; 75% females; 61 ± 15 years; 37 ± 7 kg/m2). Fourteen percent (n = 105) of the obese patients were malnourished. Over a quarter of the malnourished obese patients (N = 30/105, 28%) consumed ≤25% of the offered meals. Most malnourished obese patients (74/105, 70%) received standard diets without additional nutritional support. After controlling for confounders (age, disease type and severity), malnutrition and intake ≤25% of the offered meals independently trebled the odds of in-hospital mortality within 90 days of hospital admission in obese patients. CONCLUSION: Although malnourished obese experienced significantly adverse health-related outcomes they were least likely to receive additional nutritional support. This study demonstrates that BMI alone cannot be used as a surrogate measure for nutritional status and warrants routine nutritional screening for all hospital patients, and subsequent nutritional assessment and support for malnourished patients.

Predictors of nutrition care process and terminology use, applicability and importance within Asia-Pacific dietitians.

AIM: Many dietitians are yet to incorporate the Nutrition Care Process and Terminology (NCPT) into practice. The present study investigated factors predicting (i) NCPT use, (ii) perceived importance of NCPT implementation and (iii) perceived NCPT applicability to personal dietetic practice among dietitians in the Asia-Pacific region. METHODS: Dietetic association members from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore were invited to participate in an online survey assessing NCPT implementation, knowledge, and self-rated familiarity, attitudes, benefits, concerns, barriers, and enablers. Forward stepwise logistic regression used all factors to identify predictive dietetic characteristics for current NCPT use, importance or applicability to practice. RESULTS: A total of 377 dietitians (5%-55% of national dietetic memberships surveyed) completed at least one survey question. In logistic regression models, independent positive predictors of current NCPT users were knowledge (P = 0.003), confidence to implement (P = 0.036), confidence to write nutrition diagnoses (P = 0.002) and experiencing managerial support (P = 0.004). Not seeing a reason to change was a significant negative predictor of NCPT use (P = 0.003). An independent positive predictor of dietitians viewing NCPT implementation as important was feeling that it will improve patient care (P < 0.001), while negative predictors were seeing minimal benefit in changing (P < 0.001) and a preference to continue with current routine (P = 0.015). Independent positive predictors of dietitians viewing NCPT as applicable to their practice were NCPT knowledge (P = 0.009), seeing the value of NCPT (P < 0.001) and attendance at workshops or conferences (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: NCPT implementation may be enhanced thorough activities building confidence, gaining managerial corroboration and demonstration of NCPT benefits, including improved patient care.

Use of the Nutrition Care Process and Nutrition Care Process Terminology in an International Cohort Reported by an Online Survey Tool.

BACKGROUND: Dietitians in countries across the world have been implementing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and Terminology (NCPT) during the past decade. The implementation process has been evaluated in specific countries and in smaller international studies; however, no large international study comparing implementation between countries has been completed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe and compare the level of NCP/NCPT implementation across 10 countries. METHODS: A previously tested web-based survey was completed in 2017 by 6,719 dietitians across 10 countries. Participants were recruited through e-mail lists, e-newsletters, and social media groups for dietitians. Nondietitians were excluded through screening questions and targeted dissemination channels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The main outcome of interest was the level of implementation of each of the four NCP steps. Differences in implementation between the NCP (process) and NCPT (terminology) were also measured. Differences between groups were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test. Multiple linear regression was used to assess relationships between the main outcomes and respondent demographic information. RESULTS: Australia, New Zealand, and the United States had higher implementation rates compared with other countries surveyed. Awareness of the NCP was high in most countries (>90%) but lower in Greece (50%). All countries had a higher implementation level of the NCP (process) compared with the NCPT (terminology). Dietitians working with inpatients reported the highest implementation levels while those working in public health reported the lowest. CONCLUSIONS: Dietitians in countries with more experience in NCP/NCPT implementation and a clear implementation strategy had higher levels of implementation. To achieve a successful NCP/NCPT implementation among dietitians, there is a need to promote the value of a standardized dietetic language together with the more easily implemented process. There is also a need to promote NCP/NCPT for all areas of practice, and develop strategic plans for implementation of the NCP and NCPT.

The International Nutrition Care Process and Terminology Implementation Survey: Towards a Global Evaluation Tool to Assess Individual Practitioner Implementation in Multiple Countries and Languages.

BACKGROUND: The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and NCP Terminology (NCPT) is a systematic framework for critical thinking, decision making, and communication for dietetics practitioners worldwide, aiming to improve quality and patient safety in nutrition care. Although dietetics practitioners in several countries have implemented the NCP/NCPT during recent years, to date there is no globally validated instrument for the evaluation of NCP/NCPT implementation that is available in different languages and applicable across cultures and countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and test a survey instrument in several languages to capture information at different stages of NCP/NCPT implementation across countries and cultures. SETTING: In this collaboration between dietetics practitioners and researchers from 10 countries, an International NCP/NCPT Implementation Survey tool was developed and tested in a multistep process, building on the experiences from previous surveys. The tool was translated from English into six other languages. It includes four modules and describes demographic information, NCP/NCPT implementation, and related attitudes and knowledge. METHODS: The survey was reviewed by 42 experts across 10 countries to assess content validity and clarity. After this, 30 dietetics practitioners participated in cognitive interviews while completing the survey. A pilot study was performed with 210 participants, of whom 40 completed the survey twice within a 2- to 3-week interval. RESULTS: Scale content validity index average was 0.98 and question clarity index was 0.8 to 1.0. Cognitive interviews and comments from experts led to further clarifications of the survey. The repeated pilot test resulted in Krippendorff's α=.75. Subsequently, refinements of the survey were made based on comments submitted by the pilot survey participants. CONCLUSIONS: The International NCP/NCPT Implementation Survey tool demonstrated excellent content validity and high test-retest reliability in seven different languages and across an international context. This tool will be valuable in future research and evaluation of implementation strategies.

External validation of the Rapid Assessment Prioritisation and Referral Tool for multidisciplinary teams in medical assessment and planning units.

OBJECTIVE: The Rapid Assessment Prioritisation and Referral Tool (RAPaRT) was developed for identifying appropriate referrals to allied members of the multidisciplinary team in hospital medical assessment and planning units (MAPUs). This study examined the performance of the RAPaRT for identifying appropriate referrals as well as predicting requirement for admission to hospital and length of stay. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted. The RAPaRT, inclusive of seven mandatory items, was completed by nurses for 195 patients presenting to a hospital ED and assessed in a MAPU external to the instrument development site. Members of the multidisciplinary team (dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work and speech pathology) assessed participants to determine whether a referral to their profession was warranted and this was compared to RAPaRT responses. RESULTS: All health professionals reviewed n = 175/195 (90%) participants, with n = 117/195 (60%) considered appropriate for referral to an allied health professional. At least one positive response to the RAPaRT items was recorded for n = 123 (63%) participants. Patterns of sensitivity and specificity for each item, and the instrument as a whole were consistent with the development study. The RAPaRT also predicted which patients required admission to an acute hospital ward (odds ratio = 1.22; 95% CI 1.01, 1.47) and their length of stay in hospital (coefficient = 0.18; 95% CI 0.14, 0.22). CONCLUSION: Findings supported the external validation of the RAPaRT. In addition, this investigation made a novel contribution in demonstrating that positive RAPaRT responses were associated with requirement for admission to an acute hospital ward and length of stay.

The Nutrition Care Process Terminology: Changes in perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and implementation amongst Australian dietitians after three years.

AIM: Assessing changes in dietetic perceptions, attitudes and knowledge regarding the Nutrition Care Process Terminology (NCPT) is important to determine implementation effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate changes in the perceptions and attitudes of Australian dietitians over a three-year period, identify changes in benefits and barriers to support successful NCPT implementation and determine future directions for NCPT progression. METHODS: An online survey was performed in 2011 and repeated in 2014 by recruiting members of the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) through an email link. The survey assessed familiarity, knowledge, attitudes, benefits, barriers, concerns and use of educational enablers around the NCPT. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 218 respondents in 2011 and 205 respondents in 2014. Survey respondents from both years were representative of overall DAA membership. Respondent knowledge of NCPT increased significantly over the three-years, as did confidence, preparation, access to support and training and NCPT usage. Respondent's identification of benefits to implementation increased whilst barriers reduced. Attitudes regarding NCPT implementation were conflicting. CONCLUSIONS: Over three years, improvements were evident in NCPT knowledge, attitudes and usage. However, not all dietitians saw reason to implement NCPT in their practice, and some attitudes have become less supportive. A collective vision is required to foster positive attitudes towards the transformational professional benefits possible from NCPT. With ongoing uptake of electronic health records, the potential for NCPT to evaluate and justify dietetic interventions is increasing.