Indirect Calorimetry: The Effects of Overfeeding and Underfeeding Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Author

Hailee SchirmFollow

College

College of Health Professions

Date of Last Revision

2025-04-26 12:08:58

Major

Respiratory Therapy

Honors Course

RESP:430

Number of Credits

4

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2025

Abstract

This research focuses on the effects of overfeeding and underfeeding mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU and how indirect calorimetry plays a role in improving patient outcomes. Research was pulled from eight peer reviewed sources written within the last ten years to support this statement. It includes multiple types of studies including but not limited to a retrospective cohort study, meta-analysis, review, and deterministic cost-sequences analysis. Indirect calorimetry measures carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption to calculate energy expenditure and determine the number of calories needed to sustain one’s body. This allows us to determine the number of calories a patient needs to ensure we are not over or underfeeding our patients, as this can lead to an increased length of stay, nosocomial infections, and even mortality (Sanjith et al., 2022). It was found that the caloric intake of a patient is commonly miscalculated with the use of predictive equations and does not meet the patient’s accurate energy expenditure. This fact is supported by Haines et al. (2024) stating that evidence has proven predictive energy equations inaccurately estimate the caloric needs of patients, but many hospitals continue to utilize them. This is due to the usage of predictive equations because they are not likely to factor in individual patient variables, which can negatively impact patients and healthcare institutions by leading to adverse patient outcomes and an increase in health costs. The objective is to determine whether indirect calorimetry should be utilized for all patients. The motivations and benefits, if successful, are to advocate for indirect calorimetry to be used for all mechanically ventilated patients so there is a smoother and faster liberation process. While also prioritizing patients’ nutritional needs, some of these patients are mechanically ventilated for extended periods of time; therefore, it is important that they are getting the nutrients. The consensus from multiple peer-reviewed sources found that indirect calorimetry is more accurate than predictive equations, is more cost effective, and is crucial to improving patient outcomes by preventing overfeeding and underfeeding.

Research Sponsor

Stacia Biddle

First Reader

Diann Gregoire

Second Reader

Eric Smith

Honors Faculty Advisor

Stacia Biddle

Proprietary and/or Confidential Information

No

Recommended Citation

Schirm, Hailee, "Indirect Calorimetry: The Effects of Overfeeding and Underfeeding Mechanically Ventilated Patients" (2025). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1952.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1952