Through the analysis of whether enteral nutrition (EN) therapy combined with nutritional consultation can reduce the cost of hospitalization and postoperative complications, to verify the effect of "hunger-free hospital" construction on the clinical benefits of malnutrition patients.

From January 2018 to August 2019, 239 discharged patients from Beijing Shijitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University in the disease diagnosis related group (DRG) - GB23 were selected. The patients were divided into three groups: combined group (21 cases, EN+nutritional consultation), simple group (38 cases, EN therapy) and control group (180 cases, without EN therapy). Medical expenses, complications rate and hospitalization time among the three groups were compared.

The hospitalization cost of the simple group was (107 279.71±48 735.205) yuan, which was 13.41% less than that of the control group, whereas the combined group was (88 255.95±24 412.532) yuan, which was 17.73% less than that of the simple group, with statistic differences (F=6.711, P=0.013). The cost of hospitalization could be reduced by 15 793 yuan for simple EN and 33 631 yuan for combined therapy (F=6.141, P=0.003). The incidence of postoperative complications among the three groups showed remarkable significance (χ2=40.489, P<0.001). Simple EN therapy could reduce the risk of postoperative complications by 75% (OR=0.25), and 96% for combined therapy (OR=0.04). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the average length of hospital stay among the three groups (F=2.024, P=0.134).

Nutrition consultation combined with standardized nutrition therapy plays an important role in reducing medical expenses and the incidence of complications. Malnourished patients can benefit from the management model of hungry-free hospital.