Preventative Care
Patient Scenario – Elaine Smith

Following the surgery, Mrs. Smith experiences delayed wound healing and increased susceptibility to post-operative complications, leading to a prolonged hospital stay of 5 additional days.

 

Research indicates that pre-operative malnutrition significantly increases the risk of post-operative complications and prolonged hospital stays (Weimann et al., 2017). Based on a projected basic NHS hospital bed cost of £345 per night (standard hospital bed without treatment)1, this adds an estimated cost of £1,725 per patient.

​

Reference:
1: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2023-03-14/165361?utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

Conversely, a 12-week NutriDaily regimen, priced at £268.80, could have been implemented pre-operatively to enhance Mrs. Smith's nutritional status. This proactive approach would have offered her a nutrient-dense, real-food approach with the potential to improve wound healing and prevent post-operative complications, thus reducing the extended hospital stay and associated costs.

​

Reference:

Weimann, A., Braga, M., Carli, F., Higashiguchi, T., Hübner, M., Klek, S., ... & Bischoff, S. C. (2017). ESPEN guideline: Clinical nutrition in surgery. Clinical Nutrition, 36(3), 623-650.