Implementation of a nutrition pathway for hospitalized children

Towards Implementation of the Pediatric Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care Pathway (P-INPAC) - Pilot Study

This study is testing a new nutrition plan for kids in the hospital to see if it helps them get better care for malnutrition.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 600 (estimated)
• Ages: 30 Days to 18 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: The Hospital for Sick Children (Academic / other)
• Locations: 3 sites (Hamilton, Ontario and 2 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06645639 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project aims to implement the Pediatric Integrated Nutrition Pathway for Acute Care (P-INPAC) framework across three Canadian pediatric hospitals. The study will involve auditing health records of hospitalized children to assess their nutritional care, training healthcare staff on the P-INPAC protocol, and evaluating the effectiveness of this approach in identifying and treating malnutrition. The project will also include follow-up assessments of patients after discharge and surveys to gauge healthcare professionals' knowledge and practices regarding malnutrition. The goal is to establish best practices for nutritional care in pediatric settings.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are hospitalized children aged 30 days to less than 18 years who are expected to stay in the hospital for at least 24 hours.

Not a fit: Patients with eating disorders or conditions that may interfere with nutritional messaging or treatment plans may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this initiative could significantly improve the nutritional care and outcomes for hospitalized children suffering from malnutrition.

How similar studies have performed: Previous implementations of similar nutritional pathways in adult care have shown success, suggesting potential for positive outcomes in pediatric settings as well.

Eligibility criteria

Phase 1 and Phase 3 - Audited patient group inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥ 30 days of age and less than18 years of age on day of assessment
2. Anticipated Length of hospital stay ≥24 hours from day of assessment

Phase 1 \& Phase 3 Detailed patient group inclusion Criteria:

1. Admitted to either a general medical or surgical ward
2. ≥ 30 days of age and less than 18 years of age on day of assessment
3. Anticipated Length of stay ≥ 24 hours from day of assessment
4. Speak English (or French at Quebec site) or have a family proxy available at the meal to provide information if first language of patient is not English (or French at Quebec site)
5. Patient/ caregiver provides written consent to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

a. Patients with eating disorder, somatization disorders, ARFID, FORM 1 etc. where the study interaction might interfere with the messaging or therapeutic plan as set out by the responsible team.

Phase 1 and 3 for Health Care Providers inclusion criteria:

1. Implied consent to participate by completing the KAP questionnaire
2. Providing clinical service for the select ward

Where this trial is running

Hamilton, Ontario and 2 other locations

• McMaster Children's Hospital — Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
• The Hospital for Sick Children — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
• Ste-Justine UHC — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Not_yet_recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jessie Hulst

Conditions Malnutrition, Child; Nutrition Poor