Academic Journal
Changes in US Dialysis Dietitian Responsibilities and Patient Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
| Title: | Changes in US Dialysis Dietitian Responsibilities and Patient Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
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| Authors: | Rosa K. Hand, Rachael May, Ashwini R. Sehgal |
| Source: | J Ren Nutr |
| Publisher Information: | Elsevier BV, 2022. |
| Publication Year: | 2022 |
| Subject Terms: | 2. Zero hunger, 03 medical and health sciences, Cross-Sectional Studies, 0302 clinical medicine, Renal Dialysis, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Humans, Nutritionists, Pandemics, United States, Original Research, 3. Good health |
| Description: | This study described the job responsibilities and modalities of care among dialysis dietitians in the United States and their observations regarding the nutrition needs of their patients, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Cross-sectional online survey captures dietitian characteristics and responsibilities, dialysis facility characteristics, and patient needs. We recruited US dialysis dietitians. We used chi-square tests to compare respondent stress and facility-level policies regarding eating/drinking and oral nutrition supplements based on facility ownership type.We received 191 complete or partial survey responses. Sixty-three percent of respondents stated that their center banned eating/drinking during dialysis due to COVID-19 masking policies. DaVita and non-profit facilities were significantly more likely to still allow eating/drinking during dialysis (31% and 29%, respectively) compared to Fresenius facilities (7%). A common theme in open-ended responses regarding nutrition care for COVID-19-positive patients was providing less care to these patients. A majority of respondents admitted to stress from working in healthcare during COVID-19. The majority of respondents indicated that patients were taking precautions such as having a family member or friend grocery shop for them (69%) or going to the store less often (60%). Just over a quarter of respondents indicated that affordability of food was a concern among patients. Seventy-two percent reported that patients were cooking at home more often, 60% had observed an increase in serum phosphorus, and 72% an increase in interdialytic weight gain.Due to the increased risk of malnutrition and symptoms that can affect dietary intake in COVID-positive patients, and the economic conditions leading to increased rates of food insecurity, dietitians must be proactive in preventing and/or treating malnutrition through adequate protein and energy intake. Eating/drinking bans should not become permanent and dialysis centers should take precautions to allow intradialytic meals and oral nutrition supplement protocols to continue during the pandemic. |
| Document Type: | Article Other literature type |
| Language: | English |
| ISSN: | 1051-2276 |
| DOI: | 10.1053/j.jrn.2021.07.006 |
| Access URL: | http://www.jrnjournal.org/article/S1051227621001837/pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34465503 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8313484 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1051227621001837 https://search.bvsalud.org/global-literature-on-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/resource/es/covidwho-1331410 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34465503/ https://www.jrnjournal.org/article/S1051-2276(21)00183-7/fulltext |
| Rights: | Elsevier TDM |
| Accession Number: | edsair.doi.dedup.....4f267cee6e2a83c92f06b4b7f1fb3613 |
| Database: | OpenAIRE |
| ISSN: | 10512276 |
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| DOI: | 10.1053/j.jrn.2021.07.006 |