Overview of the organization of clinical nutrition in Tartu University Hospital

Abstract

The association between poor nutritional status and treatment outcomes as well as increased healthcare costs have been shown in different clinical settings. Rational health care organization including a nutrition therapy is a theme that is in the centre of attention for physicians, health promoters and social workers. The paper demonstrates the organisation of a nutrition therapy at the Tartu University Hospital where counselling of patients and the medical team have gained much attention recently. In connection with the formation of the food service at the Tartu University Hospital on 1 May 1999 new important issues of management and organisation beside specific dietology issues have gained importance in feeding patients. By today the activities of the Tartu University Hospital in the field of nutrition have been reorganised in connection with the introduction of the electronic case history in the years 2008–2009.

Nutritional research and intensive nutritional counselling of the chronic kidney disease patients after kidney transplantation

“…This adapted version was used in Estonia and is used for analysing foods and menus in treatment and care centres, also for drawing up personal menus and comparing nutritional recommendations for different gender and age groups. In calculating menus it is possible to use those beside the Estonian databases guidelines [6,9,10]. All the data were compared with the Estonian Nutrition Recommendations [10].…”

“…All the data were compared with the Estonian Nutrition Recommendations [10]. During the 3-days dietary records analysis and counselling of CKD patients, giving answers to their questions about their food and portion sizes, the dietitian used the standards portion book with many photographs [1,2,6,8].…”

“…The author of the thesis has worked out a systematized list of diets and compiled a collection of articles which takes into consideration contemporary principles of feeding treatment. The names and indications of the nomenclature of diets and the respective recommen dations for the consumption of daily energy and basic nutrients are given in the handbook "Ravitoitlustamine" ("Treatment diets") [6].…”

Reasons for not participating in breast cancer screening, ways to obtain information and measures to improve participation in screening

“…Since 2002, women in Estonia have been invited to breast cancer mammography screening every few years, with the aim of detecting breast cancer at the earliest possible stage, thereby reducing mortality and improving the quality of life of patients. It is important that women without complaints or symptoms go for an examination, because breast cancer does not show itself in the early stages (Kiisk et al 2016). A survey previously conducted in Estonia revealed that breast complaints are one of the reasons for going for a screening examination (11.9% of the women who participated in the survey), but 15% of the respondents still wanted more information about screening (Aasmaa and Mägi 2007).…”