The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of intervention by Nutrition Support Team( NST) for improving nutritional status of inpatients and the significance of Nutrition Information Offering aiming at cooperation in community. Subjects were 347 inpatients at Ibaraki Prefectural Central Hospital. Their nutritional status, the effect on the lengths of hospital stay and energy provision through patients' diets added with commercial nutrient supplements or general foods before and after intervention by NST were studied. The nutrient information offerings aiming at cooperation in community and the actual work hours of NST activities were also studied. The result suggests the importance of NST intervention at an early stage. Addition of nutrient supplements and general foods to patients' diets was found effective in improving the energy provision ratio. The nutrient information offerings addressed to referral hospitals led to prompt prevention of inadvertent aspiration of foods by patients and continuation of nutritional supports. It was surmised that strengthening cooperation by NST with medical institutions and welfare facilities in the community would lead to implementation of nutritional supports for patients staying at home and improvement of qualities of registered dietitians. Trial NST activities may expand the activities of registered dietitians in hospitals in the future.

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