The Reality of Nutritional Therapy in Brazil: Quality Assessment

Nutritional status depletion is associated with complications such as increased morbidity and mortality, worsening of patients' quality of life and increased length of hospital stay. Thus, nutritional therapy defined as the set of therapeutic procedures for maintenance or recovery of the nutritional status of the patient, becomes a procedure of extreme importance in the hospital setting. It should be carried out by an interprofessional team, in order to ensure adequate patient care. Aim: This study intends to evaluate the reality of Nutritional Therapy in Brazil, 18 and 14 years after the introduction of the resolution n ° 272 and the RDC n ° 63, respectively, regarding the practice of this important therapy and the existence of interdisciplinary teams. Method: Descriptive, observational and national study. In each Brazilian state was selected the capital, and drawn a city of average and other one of small size. Next, a public, private and university hospital in each municipality was randomly selected. Data collection will be done by means of a questionnaire, based on the Secretary of Sanitary Surveillance of the Ministry of Health resolution n ° 272 and the RDC n ° 63. The questionnaire will be applied by the researchers, and directed to the health professionals involved in the Nutritional Therapy practice in each of the selected hospitals.