Dados do Trabalho

Título

TITLE: TELENUTRITION FOR RADIOTHERAPY PATIENTS DURING A COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Introdução

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional status is related to increased morbidity and mortality, decreased response and tolerance to treatment. To assist in reducing the contamination and transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and in order to maintain nutritional care, monitoring through the telenutrition model was recommended. The application of telenutrition protocols can contribute to better clinical outcomes and reduction of hospital costs.

Objetivo

OBJECTIVE: To describe the nutritional follow-up protocol carried out for monitoring patients undergoing radiotherapy, by telenutrition, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Método

METHODS: Descriptive analysis of a nutritional monitoring protocol for patients undergoing radiotherapy at a private hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resultado

RESULTS: A telenutrition protocol was developed to carry out nutritional monitoring while the patient was undergoing radiotherapy. This protocol was validated by the institution at the onset of the pandemic. Adult patients with malignant neoplasms of the head and neck, gastrointestinal tract and pelvis were included. The consultations were carried out via telephone contact with the patient or responsible family member, and scheduled in advance by the reception of the clinic. In this service, the following were evaluated: treatment site, food intake, presence of symptoms interfering with food, nutritional anamnesis, anthropometry and weight loss. Revaluation was carried out according to the nutritional diagnosis: malnutrition and/or weight loss and/or the presence of symptoms interfering with food intake were reassessed weekly. On the other hand, eutrophic patients with no change in diet were reassessed every fortnight until the end of treatment. To aid in the anthropometric assessment, a platform-type digital scale, with a capacity of 352,74 pounds, was placed close to the patients' treatment site. For correct verification, nursing and radiotherapy technicians were instructed to refer and assist the patient in the weekly weighing. This information was passed on to the nutritionist after each measurement.

Conclusão

CONCLUSION: The correct identification of the nutritional status, especially in times of pandemic, has been shown to be fundamental in follow-up and good evolution of cancer care patients undergoing radiotherapy. The creation of new tele-service protocols is easy to apply, has low cost and should be encouraged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Palavras-chave

Nutritional status; Telenutrition; Radiotherapy.