Annals of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism

Special Article

Current practices and challenges in nutrition support team activities, 2025 in Korea: a multicenter cross-sectional descriptive study: So Hyun Nam; Ann Clin Nutr Metab 2025;17(2):97-103. Published online August 1, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.25.0026

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the current practices, activities, and challenges of nutrition support teams (NSTs) in Korea. The assessment was conducted as part of the 4th NST Leadership Program of the Korean Society of Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition held in 2025, which seeks to foster leadership and enhance team functionality.
Methods
A nationwide survey was conducted in February 2025 among 54 NST members from 44 institutions. The survey explored team composition, consultation volume, educational programs, barriers to implementation, institutional support, and reimbursement challenges.
Results
Of the 44 participating hospitals, most (86.4%) operated a single NST, with multidisciplinary physician involvement from over three specialties in 77.2% of cases. Inpatient referrals to NSTs were generally low, with less than 10% at 63% of institutions. Only 40.9% had an individual office, and formal incentive systems were reported in 18.1% of hospitals. Educational programs for in-hospital staff were limited (29.5%), and less than half conducted regular academic meetings. Rates of adoption of NST recommendations varied widely, with barriers including a lack of engagement from attending physicians, failure to review the recommendations, and department-specific clinical policies. Efforts to promote NST activation included computerized prescription systems, automated referral workflows, staff education, and quality improvement initiatives. Participants focused on sharing effective NST cases, building incentives, exchanging clinical insights, clarifying team roles and leadership, and developing unified practice guidelines.
Conclusion
NSTs in Korea are well established but face ongoing challenges in collaboration and sustainability. Continued leadership and policy support are crucial for enhancing team performance and improving patient outcomes.

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Original Article

Consultation pattern changes of parenteral nutrition with a multidisciplinary nutrition support team in a recently opened hospital in Korea: a retrospective cohort study: Kyoung Won Yoon, Hyo Jin Kim, Yujeong Im, Seul Gi Nam, Joo Yeon Lee, Hyo Gee Lee, Joong-Min Park; Ann Clin Nutr Metab 2023;15(2):57-63. Published online August 1, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.2023.15.2.57

Abstract PDF: Purpose: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is essential for the treatment of patients with malnutrition. The provision of central PN should be recommended by a nutrition support team (NST) made up of a team of experts, even in a newly established hospital. This study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of PN delivered by a multidisciplinary NST in a recently opened hospital.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of the effectiveness of a central PN recommendation pop-up message by the electronic medical record (EMR) software to prompt physicians to either calculate the required calorie and protein intake or consult with the NST. The study period was divided into pre-NST and post-NST based on the time of recruitment of NST-dedicated personnel.
Results: Patients in the 12-week pre-NST period (n=50) and 12-week post-NST period (n=74) were compared retrospectively. Baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups, except for the median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (pre-NST group, 8 [interquartile range, IQR 5–15.5] vs. post-NST group, 15 [IQR 9–24], P=0.012) of the 45 patients total admitted to the intensive care unit. The percentage of patients for whom physicians requested a consultation with the NST for central PN was significantly higher in the post-NST group (52.0% vs. 75.7%, P=0.011). There was no significant difference in achievement of nutrition targets or mortality.
Conclusion: Building a multidisciplinary NST may increase awareness of nutritional status and affect the behavior of physicians in recently-opened hospitals.

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