Journal List > J Korean Oncol Nurs > v.10(2) > 1044409

Jeon, Yim, Jeong, Yun, Kim, Park, and Lee: Survey on Dietary Restrictions for Neutropenic Patients

Abstract

Purpose

This survey was aimed to examine the current dietary restrictions practices for neutropenic patients among hospitals with 500 and more beds.

Methods

Self-administered questionnaires were sent to 100 head or charge nurses of oncology or hemato-oncology wards by mail during October 2009, and 51 questionnaires were returned. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS (WIN version 12.0).

Results

Of the hospitals surveyed, 47.1% (n=24) had guidelines on the dietary restrictions, and 80.4% (n=41) placed patients with neutropenia on restricted diets. The major decisional criteria of the dietary restriction was absolute neutrophil count (30.5%) and cooking status (29.2%). The most commonly restricted foods were raw fish or fresh meat (98.0%), uncooked intestine (98.0%), raw eggs (98.0%), draught beer (96.1%), and fresh fruits or vegetables (86.3%).

Conclusion

The results showed variation in pattern of dietary restrictions and lower rate of guideline among hospitals, so that the need for the standard dietary restriction guideline is high. However, the role of diet in the development of infection in neutropenic patients is still unclear, which makes it difficult to establish dietary restriction guideline. Therefore, additional research are required to identify the relationship between dietary factors and infections.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Decisional criteria to determine dietary restriction.
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Table 1
Characteristics of institutions surveyed (N=51)
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Table 2
Characteristics of dietary restrictions practices (N=51)
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ANC, Absolute Neutrophil Count.

Table 3
Dietary restrictions by food processing status for neutropenic patients (N=51)
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Table 4
Dietary restrictions by food type for neutropenic patients (N=51)
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