Zofingen

Researchers are studying the effects of continued nutritional support after hospital discharge for adult medical patients who are at nutritional risk due to malnutrition. This research aims to compare ongoing post-discharge nutritional support to usual care home nutrition and assess its impact on mortality, frailty, functional outcomes, and recovery. The study builds on earlier findings that nutritional support during hospital stays reduces complications and mortality, but long-term benefits after discharge remain unclear. Participants receive individualized nutritional plans supervised by experienced dietitians, including the daily use of specific oral nutritional supplements with high energy and protein content such as Resource Ultra and Resource 2.0 (Fibre). The plan may be adjusted based on patient preferences, including options like between meal snacking and food enrichment. General nutritional information about healthy food behavior is also provided upon hospital discharge. Follow-up phone calls occur every 2 to 4 weeks to monitor and support adherence to the nutritional intervention. During the study, participants are closely monitored for outcomes including time to death from any cause over a three-year period. Researchers will evaluate frailty, functional recovery, and overall health status. The study involves ongoing assessments and follow-ups to understand how long-term nutritional support influences disease progression and recovery. Participants' adherence to the nutritional plans is supported and tracked through regular dietitian contact and supplement use.