Improving Identification of Short Bowel Syndrome to Optimize Nutrition and Hydration Status

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is an extreme malabsorptive disorder associated with malnutrition, dehydration, and many co-morbidities. Because SBS is so rare and complex, the RDN may find themselves taking care of such a patient without the experience or tools to do so. This can lead to poor care for patients. An intestinal rehabilitation unit in the UK published an article titled "Mistakes in short bowel and how to avoid them" due to the sheer number of times these errors were experienced by patients referred to their specialized unit.

A common assumption is that if a patient with SBS does not require PN/IV fluids, their SBS is not that serious. The goal of this session is to equip the RDN to play an integral role in the identification of the patient with SBS, and to intervene appropriately with diet, hydration, and medication recommendations.

CPE Level:Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
CPEU:1.5

Performance Indicators

• 10.4.2 Demonstrates an understanding of pharmacokinetics, absorption, clearance, metabolism, latency periods, accumulation, half-life, and routes of drug administration.
• 10.3.3 Prioritizes specific nutrition problems to inform nutrition care plans and processes.
• 10.2.1 Selects valid and reliable tools to conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the factors contributing to diarrhea and malabsorption in short bowel syndrome.
• Optimize nutrition and hydration in the patient with SBS and protect patients from dehydration and renal injury.
• Select and dose medications in a stepwise fashion to maximize absorption, improve quality of life and achieve enteral autonomy where possible.

Moderator

• Carol Rees Parrish

Speakers

• Maria Karimbakas
• Elizabeth Wall