IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH EATING DISORDERS AT QUEENSLAND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Queensland Children's Hospital (QCH) recorded a significant increase in presentations of young people with eating disorders (EDs) following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, QCH implemented an interdisciplinary team called the Eating Disorders Acute Team (EDAT) to assist in reducing hospital readmission rates. Objectives: To explore adherence to the existing nutritional resuscitation protocol including supportive nasogastric therapy post implementation of the EDAT. Methods: A retrospective audit of admissions for EDs were completed for two years, 2020 (n =119) and 2023 (n = 132). Data included weight, length of stay (LOS) (days), insertion of nasogastric tube (NGT) (yes/no), duration of NGT in situ (days) and readmission rates (%) (1, 3, 12 months), which were compared between the two years. Results: Audit results demonstrated both greater compliance with NGT insertion [95% versus (vs) 88%, p = 0.038], longer duration of NGT in situ (8.1 days vs 6.5 days, p = 0.019), and increased weight gain during admission (4.8% vs 3.6%, p = 0.017) for 2023 compared to 2020. LOS remained consistent between 2020 (10.2 days) and 2023 (10.7 days) (p = 0.447). One month readmission rates decreased from 22.0% in 2020 to 12.9% in 2023 [χ2 = 3.67, degrees of freedom (df) = 1, p = 0.056), and 12-month readmission rates were reduced from 43.2% in 2020 to 27.2% in 2023 (χ2 = 6.98, df = 1, p = 0.008). There appeared to be a reduction in 3-month readmissions; however, this did not reach significance (χ2 = 2.78, df = 2, p = 0.249). Conclusions: Findings suggest improved nutritional outcomes and decreased readmission rates with increased consistency around protocol implementation and longer duration of supportive nasogastric therapy, with no changes in length of stay post-EDAT implementation.