État des lieux des CLAN en 2004

The aim of the liaison committees for alimentation and nutrition (LCAN) is to improve patients healthcare in health institutions (HI). In order to know the development of LCAN in 2004, a grid of investigation proposed by the National Alimentation and Nutrition Commitee for HI was sent by the direction for hospitalization and health organisation of the french health ministry. 30% among 779 HI had a LCAN, with its presence in HI positively linked with: existence of alimentation and nutrition trends, educational activities, clinical nutrition activity, HI dimension. LCAN worked since 2.3 years (mean), had 2.3/y commitee meetings and consisted of 9 individuals representing hospital professions and patients. The LCAN first aims were evaluation, writing documents, education and elaborating structures. 70% of LCAN wrote a programme for action, 33% a report, but there was only in 5% of cases a LCAN budget. Lack of time, means and personnels, former presence of an alimentation staff or a too small dimension were the motives for HI not to create a LCAN. Concerning all HI who gave answers, alimentation and nutrition trends existed in 58% of cases, 73% used self-management for alimentation, the median meals production was 400/d, and the median number of dieticians was 0.8. 35% of HI had an educational programme in alimentation and nutrition, 35% detected malnutrition, 24% detected obesity, 28% had a clinical nutrition activity, and only 10-11% used a network in nutrition between hospital and the community. All in all, there are more LCAN in 2004 than before, and they probably play a favourable role in HI. More educational programmes and shared structures or means between several HI are advocated. Evaluation of patients nutritional status has to be more frequent, and larger means for equipment and personnel in alimentation and nutrition could be useful.