Impact of a nutrition support therapy on hospital-acquired infections: A value analysis

Background Hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) have a direct impact on value, as they decrease quality and increase costs. Numerous interventions have been tried, including nutrition support therapy, with unknown effect on value. Therefore, a value analysis of nutrition support therapy on HACs was performed. Methods An extensive literature search was performed. Using the Medicare Parts A and B Claims 5% Sample data set, analytic claims modeling was conducted. Results The search identified 1099 studies, with eight meeting the inclusion criteria. All studies were performed on adult critically ill patients and focused on HA infections (HAIs) as the HAC. One study underwent Medicare claims modeling and revealed nutrition therapy has the potential of saving at least $104 million annually in Medicare patients with HAIs. Conclusion Nutrition support therapy has the potential to reduce costs of Medicare spending in respect to HAIs.