Recommendations of the EPUAP for Diet in a Patient at Risk for a Pressure Ulcer

Parameter	Daily Minimum Recommendation
total caloric intake	30 to 35 Kcal per kg body weight
protein intake	1.0 to 1.5 gram per kg body weight
fluid intake	1 mL per kcal per day

 

The minimum caloric and protein intake is for a bedridden patient. A patient who is active or who has a serious illness will require a higher level of intake.

 

If the patient has a decubitus and the wound drains significant fluid, then additional protein and fluid intake is required to compensate for losses.

 

Yamamoto et al found that patients with a total daily intake < 20 kcal per kg did not improve or worsened. Patients with intake > 30 kcal per day improved or healed and showed improved levels of serum albumin.