Effects on nutritional care practice after implementation of a flow chart-based nutrition support protocol in an intensive care unit.

The percentage of patients receiving EN within 72 hr of admission increased from 64% before to 88% after protocol modification. Cumulative percentage energy from EN during ICU days 1-4 increased from 26-89% of total kcal. Overall amount of nutrition administered enterally increased, with a corresponding marked decline in use of parenteral nutrition. Pre-modification, >80% of patients received >65% of their calculated nutrition requirements by ICU Day 4; post-modification this goal was achieved by Day 7.