A Summary Review of the Cost and Cost Effectiveness of Oral Nutritional Supplements

Nutrition plays a large role in disease prevention. Many chronic illnesses can be attributed to poor diet or lack of nutrients. Chronic disease accounts for the highest spending in healthcare and is the leading cause of mortality in the US. Even in the Western world, malnutrition remains a problem particularly for those in high-risk groups (adults over the age of 55).  Malnutrition can also be associated with longer recovery time from surgical procedures, lengthening hospital stay and increasing risk of infection. 

 

Longer hospital stays and more frequent medical attention requires more paid hospital staff and longer working hours. Both of which are taxing on the healthcare budget. In the past, little research has been done regarding the implementation of oral nutritional supplements in community and care home settings and their financial benefit. In a review of studies published by ScienceDirect.com titled, A systematic review of the cost and cost effectiveness of using standard oral nutritional supplements in community and care home settings, the use of oral nutritional supplementation was monitored for its potential financial benefits. 

 

Below is a summary review of the cost and cost effectiveness of oral nutritional supplements in community and care home settings. 

 

A Summary Review of the Cost and Cost Effectiveness of Oral Nutritional Supplements in Community and Care Home Settings

 

A total of 19 studies were reviewed in the ScienceDirect.com publication. The studies involved subjects from community and care home settings of all ages over 18 and both genders. Subjects in each study were either malnourished, non-malnourished, or a combination of both. 

 

Cost effectiveness of the studies was measured in length of hospitalization or bed days when supplements were given preoperative, postoperative, or both. The results were based off of a control group subjected to the same elements but without oral nutritional supplementation intervention. 

 

The nutritional supplements given to subjects were either commercially available or ready to consume multi-nutrients in liquid or semi-liquid form. The supplements provided a mix of both macronutrients and micronutrients. Study comparisons varied between supplement intervention. Most studies compared oral nutritional supplementation vs. no oral nutritional supplementation but other studies compared oral nutritional supplementation with other interventions including vitamin D, calcium, and dietary advice. 

 

The Results

Overall, the results pointed towards the use of oral nutritional supplements producing a beneficial cost-effectiveness or neutral outcome in nearly all studies. Many of these cost savings benefits were attributed to reduced hospitalization admittance and length of hospital stay. Hospitalization accounts for most healthcare costs in community and care home settings. 

 

The most significant benefits were shown in groups where oral nutritional supplements were administered for 3 months or less and in younger subjects. Additionally, one study showed a cost savings benefit in general practices with high supplement prescription rates vs. low prescription rates. 

 

As far as cost expenditure for oral nutritional supplementation, spending was low compared to their cost savings. In total, the costs of administered oral nutritional supplements during a 0.5-3.1-month period accounted for only 1%-11% of health care costs compared to the 69%-90% attributed to hospitalization costs. 

 

In one study where oral nutritional supplements were administered for longer than 3 months, supplement costs accounted for 23% of total healthcare costs while hospitalization accounted for 63%. 

Clinical Benefits of Oral Nutritional Supplementation

In addition to having cost savings benefits, the study also measured clinical benefits. Some of the clinical benefits of administering oral nutritional supplements in community and care home settings include:

 

Improved quality of life: One study reported significant improvements in subjects' physical and mental health after supplements were given in the hospital and for 51 days afterwards. However, there was little improvement in a study involving elderly patients administered oral nutritional supplements perioperative. 

 

Anthropometry improvements: In community studies that involved patients in or outside of hospital, there were significant improvements in weight, skinfold thickness, mid-arm muscle circumference, and nutritional status. 

 

Reduced hospitalizations: Some studies determined a significant reduction in hospital admissions and hospitalization periods attributed to oral nutritional supplementation. 

 

Reduced mortality: Only seven studies had reported deaths, but fewer deaths were reported in groups administered nutritional supplements vs. the control (53 deaths vs. 59). The findings suggest that oral nutritional supplementation may result in lower mortality rates. 

 

Other benefits: Other benefits associated with oral nutritional supplementation include improved functional limitation, less infection rates, improved grip strength, reduced number of falls, and reduced minor postoperative complications. 

Conclusion of Studies

The multi-study review published by ScienceDirect.com suggests the importance of oral nutritional supplementation for reducing costs in community and care home settings. Treating malnourishment and boosting nutritional status leads to improvement of outcome in both perioperative and postoperative patients. Thus, reducing hospital admissions and length of hospital stay which in turn reduces workload and costs within the healthcare system. 

 

Additionally, oral nutritional supplementation improves the health and overall well-being of patients in community and care home settings. The review may conclude that there is a need for a higher oral nutritional supplement prescription rate in the healthcare system to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. 

 

The Need To Address Nutrient Deficiencies

Nutrient deficiency can contribute to chronic disease as well as impair healing from surgical procedures and injury. Addressing nutrient deficiencies in patients (particularly at-risk patients) early on may improve patient’s outcomes and reduce costs of healthcare. Unfortunately, the modern Western diet is lacking in most vital nutrients. Poor dietary choices or health and age-related malabsorption rates can make nutritional deficiencies worse. 

 

Oral nutritional supplementation should be implemented more in a clinical setting as well as practiced by individuals. Consuming a daily multi-nutrient supplement like WoundVite co-formulated by Devan Patel can help ensure you receive vital nutrients most necessary for health and wellbeing. WoundVite contains 19 different vitamins, minerals, and herbs chosen for their effectiveness in aiding wound recovery. 

 

Nutritional supplements in the form of once or twice daily capsules makes it easier for individuals to obtain proper nutrient intake to improve or maintain their health, thus reducing risk of illness.