GWU Medical Center researcher named recipient of A.S.P.E.N.'s Research Trainee Award

Ivy Haskins, MD, of George Washington University (GWU) Medical Center has been named a Research Trainee Award recipient by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral (A.S.P.E.N.). The award is for her research on volume-based enteral nutrition support regimens that she will present at A.S.P.E.N.'s Clinical Nutrition Week conference in Long Beach, California, February 14 to 17.

Dr. Haskins and her colleagues investigated the difference between an hourly rate-based (RB) feeding protocol and a volume-based (VB) protocol for delivery of prescribed calories to patients and accompanying clinical outcomes.

Underfeeding in critically ill patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, meeting enteral nutrition goals is an ongoing challenge in the intensive care unit. Most hospitals use an RB protocol with patients being fed around the clock without interruption, which is impractical. Previous studies have found that a VB protocol allows for improved delivery of prescribed calories. However, these studies did not assess clinical outcomes.

In 2013, GWU Medical Center changed from an RB protocol to a VB protocol. A total of 77 patients were enrolled in Haskins' study that found that VB protocols allow for a significantly greater provision of prescribed calories but may not improve clinical outcomes. A larger sample size is needed to corroborate these findings.

"A.S.P.E.N. is committed to supporting promising new researchers and is honored to have Dr. Haskins present her research at Clinical Nutrition Week," said Debra Ben Avram, CEO of A.S.P.E.N.