Availability and use of indirect calorimetry in adult Australian and New Zealand intensive care units: a report using data from an observational study of nutrition practices.

This study investigated the availability and use of Indirect Calorimetry in adult intensive care units across Australia and New Zealand. Despite being the recommended method for accurately assessing energy expenditure, Indirect Calorimetry was available in only 30% of ICUs, and all of these were public hospitals, generally larger and better resourced than private hospitals. 

Among the sites using this technology, the COSMED Quark RMR and Q-NRG+ devices were the most common. 

Some previously reported challenges, such as calibration difficulties, have largely been resolved through modern, accurate, and user-friendly devices like the Q-NRG+, which was being phased into ICUs across Australia and New Zealand at the time of the study, while the Quark RMR was being gradually phased out. 

It is anticipated that availability and use of indirect calorimetry, particularly the Q-NRG+ device, will continue to increase.

Indirect Calorimetry is increasingly recognised as a valuable clinical tool for supporting personalised nutrition care, and dietitians are expanding their practice to incorporate its use in ICU settings.