OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of inpatients and compare the enteral feeding practices of two general hospitals in the metropolitan region of Maringá (PR), Brazil. METHODS: The study included 62 patients of both sexes on exclusive enteral feeding. The data were collected in two general hospitals. The energy requirements of the patients were estimated using the equations proposed by Harris & Benedict and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism recommendation. The nutritional status of the patients was determined by anthropometric assessment. RESULTS: High rates of malnutrition were found in both hospitals, especially when the mid-arm muscle area was used as the indicator of nutritional status. The energy prescription was adequate for 45.71% and 40.74% of the patients of hospitals 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSION: Inadequate enteral feeding associated with high rates of malnutrition was found in both hospitals. The data obtained in this study show that both enteral feeding services need improvements. Standardization of enteral feeding practices and regular patient assessment are also needed.
Nutritional status; Enteral nutrition; Nutrition therapy
