Abstract
Background: Although early enteral nutrition (EN) plays a key role in managing patients after cardiac surgery, only a few studies have evaluated the effects of multidisciplinary team rounds (MDTR) in an intensive care unit (ICU) on the outcomes of cardiac surgery. We launched the MDTR in June 2020 and investigated its effect on clinical outcomes and nutritional management after cardiac surgery.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in a single ICU. This study included 160 patients admitted to the ICU. The patients were divided into the Conventional and MDTR groups according to their MDTR status. The postoperative hospital stay (PoHS) and EN initiation process were compared between the two groups.
Results: No significant difference was observed in the PoHS between the two groups (median: 15 days in the Conventional group and 14 days in the MDTR group). Multiple regression analysis indicated that MDTR was associated with shortened PoHS (regression coefficient: −4.65 days). The time to EN initiation was significantly shorter without increasing EN-related complications in the MDTR group (28.2 vs. 22.5 hours).
Conclusion: MDTR could be associated with the shortening of PoHS; it allows the early and safe provision of EN for patients after cardiac surgery.
The study was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000044240).
