Nutrition support makes more than sense/cents.

Abstract

Malnutrition is associated with an increased risk of both surgical and medical complications; for example, pre-operative nutritional status is predictive of post-operative morbidity and mortality. Such complications result in increased costs to patients and to the health care facility. Studies have shown that nutrition support is associated with fewer complications that can translate into fewer costs. For instance nutrition support is associated with a reduction in mortality, sepsis, hospitalization time and to improve tolerance to radiation therapy. Although more research is required, these studies suggest that indeed nutrition support makes more than sense and can make more than "cents" for the health care delivery system.