NST(Nutrition Support Team)

NST

About NST

Our hospital has established a Nutrition Support Team (NST) to ensure that all patients receive appropriate nutritional therapy.

The NST is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of doctor, nurses, Registered Dietitian, pharmacists, clinical laboratory technicians, physical therapists, speech-language-hearing therapists, etc. Based on specialized knowledge and perspectives on nutrition, we propose and support the optimal nutritional therapy according to each patient's condition and treatment situation.

"Nutrition" is an important factor in supporting recovery. Appropriate nutritional therapy contributes greatly to improving treatment outcomes, preventing complications, and speeding up recovery. The NST plays an important role in team medical care, ensuring that high-quality medical care is provided safely to all patients.

NST Chairman Jiro Ito

Activity content

NST is doing the following activities

Consultation Services

At the request of doctors and nurses on the ward, a multidisciplinary team evaluates the patient's nutritional status and condition, and holds a conference to discuss nutritional problems and countermeasures. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, Registered Dietitians, and others bring their specialized perspectives to propose optimal nutritional therapy, including oral, enteral, and intravenous nutrition. In addition, NST members actually visit the patient's room to check the dietary intake and physical findings of the patient, and provide highly individualized nutritional support that takes into account the patient's lifestyle, food preferences, and values. We also explain the purpose and methods of nutritional management to the patient and their family in an easy-to-understand manner, and carefully respond to any concerns or questions, aiming to create a recuperation environment that is convincing and reassuring.

TPN surveillance operations

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a type of nutritional therapy that provides nutrition via intravenous drip to critically ill patients and those with significantly impaired digestive function. However, there is a risk of complications such as infections and metabolic disorders, so careful management is required. At our hospital, the NST regularly checks the TPN prescription, administration status, and risk of complications, and provides feedback to the attending physician as necessary, in order to ensure proper use and safety.

NST Satellite Team Activities

In addition to the main NST, we have established "NST satellite teams" consisting mainly of doctor, nurses, and Registered Dietitian belonging to each medical department and ward. The satellite teams support the practice of nutrition management at each site and are responsible for daily evaluation of patients and identifying issues. In cooperation with the main NST, we are building a continuous and effective nutrition support system on a ward-by-ward basis.

In-hospital education

We actively conduct educational activities for in-house staff with the aim of improving the quality of nutritional therapy. We hold monthly study sessions and case conferences for all staff members to share the latest knowledge of nutritional management and practical methods. We also provide new employee training and customized educational support according to the needs of each department, which leads to improved practical skills in the field. By spreading NST knowledge throughout each department, we aim to create a system that allows for appropriate nutritional intervention from an earlier stage in daily medical practice.

Development and implementation of nutrition protocols

We formulate and implement various evidence-based nutritional protocols with the aim of safely providing high-quality nutritional therapy to all patients. The protocols include the appropriate use of enteral nutrition and total parenteral nutrition (TPN), as well as guidelines for dealing with digestive symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea, and we strive to implement standard nutritional therapy in all wards.

NST configuration

We are the NST members of our hospital.

TNT (J): Total nutritional therapy (JSPEN = Japan Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition accreditation)
Nutrition Support Team Professional Therapist (J): Japanese Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Certification

NST Professional Therapist

About NST Specialist Therapists

The NST specialist is a qualification certified by the Japanese Society of Nutritional Therapy (JSPEN) and is awarded to healthcare professionals who are responsible for specialized and practical nutritional management as part of the NST. Eligible candidates include those with national qualifications such as Registered Dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, clinical laboratory technicians, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dental hygienists, or radiologic technologists. Certification is granted after completing the required training, practical experience, and passing a written examination. This qualification not only requires the acquisition of knowledge but also assesses the ability to collaborate with multiple professions in the clinical field and the practical application of nutritional therapy. It plays an important role in ensuring the quality and standardization of NST activities. At our hospital, NST specialists are central to daily consultations, protocol management, educational activities, and more.

Kobe University Expert Medical Staff Training Program Nutritional Therapy Course Information

This course is an educational program implemented with the aim of training NST specialists, in collaboration with Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University Hospital, and Hyogo Prefecture. For those who plan to take the NST specialist certification exam, one of the application requirements, "40 hours of practical training at a JSPEN-certified educational facility," is provided in the following two parts.

• Joint training program at Kobe University Hospital (16 hours)
• Practical training at an NST-certified educational facility in Hyogo Prefecture (24 hours)

If you are thinking about taking the NST specialist therapist certification exam, please consider participating in this program.