ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3336-1932
Current Organisations
University of California, San Diego
,
Monash University
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-09-2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2009
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-06-2013
Abstract: Invasive procedures such as surgery cause immunosuppression, leading to increased risk of complications, infections and extended hospital stay. Emerging research around immune-enhancing nutrition supplements and their ability to reduce postoperative complications and reduce treatment costs is promising. This randomised controlled trial aims to examine the effect of preoperative immunonutrition supplementation on length of hospital stay (LOS), complications and treatment costs in both well-nourished and malnourished gastrointestinal surgery patients. Ninety-five patients undergoing elective upper and lower gastrointestinal surgery were recruited. The treatment group (n=46) received a commercial immuno-enhancing supplement 5 days preoperatively. The control group (n=49) received no supplements. The primary outcome measure was LOS, and secondary outcome measures included complications and cost. A nonsignificant trend towards a shorter LOS within the treatment group was observed (7.1 ± 4.1 compared with 8.8 ± 6.5 days P=0.11). For malnourished patients, this trend was greater with hospital stay reduced by 4 days (8.3 ± 3.5 vs 12.3 ± 9.5 days P=0.21). Complications and unplanned intensive care admission rates were very low in both the groups. The average admission cost was reduced by AUD1576 in the treatment group compared with the control group (P=0.37). Preoperative immunonutrition therapy in gastrointestinal surgery has the potential to reduce the LOS and cost, with greater treatment benefit seen in malnourished patients however, there is a need for additional research with greater patient numbers.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-03-2023
Abstract: To determine the safety, operational feasibility and environmental impact of collecting unopened non‐perishable packaged hospital food items for reuse. This pilot study tested packaged foods from an Australian hospital for bacterial species, and compared this to acceptable safe limits. A waste management strategy was trialled ( n = 10 days) where non‐perishable packaged foods returning to the hospital kitchen were collected off trays, and the time taken to do this and the number and weight of packaged foods collected was measured. Data were extrapolated to estimate the greenhouse gasses produced if they were disposed of in a landfill. Microbiological testing ( n = 66 s les) found bacteria (total colony forming units and five common species) on packaging appeared to be within acceptable limits. It took an average of 5.1 ± 10.1 sec/tray to remove packaged food items from trays returning to the kitchen, and an average of 1768 ± 19 packaged food items were per collected per day, equating to 6613 ± 78 kg/year of waste which would produce 19 tonnes/year of greenhouse gasses in landfill. A substantial volume of food items can be collected from trays without significantly disrupting current processes. Collecting and reusing or donating non‐perishable packaged food items that are served but not used within hospitals is a potential strategy to ert food waste from landfill. This pilot study provides initial data addressing infection control and feasibility concerns. While food packages in this hospital appear safe, further research with larger s les and testing additional microbial species is recommended.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-02-2011
Location: United States of America
No related grants have been discovered for Lisa Barker.