NEWS

Support teams can help patients arriving at hospitals malnourished By Kat Keogh

GUZELIAN

Almost one third of adults in the UK are malnourished on admission to hospital, a report states. A UK-wide survey of nearly 35,000 hospital patients over a five-year period found 29 per cent had signs of malnutrition when they arrived. Malnutrition affects three million people in the UK, with associated health costs exceeding £13 billion every year, according to a report by the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN). Not enough patients have access to nutritional support teams, which include nurse specialists, dietitians and pharmacists, the charity states. The report looked at admissions between 2007 and 2011 (see box). Malnutrition rates were at their worst in the winter months, with 34 per cent of adults malnourished on admission, falling to 25 per cent in the spring. General awareness of malnutrition and the need for nutritional screening had increased, with the malnutrition

BAPEN malnutrition survey 2007-2011 findings

29

% of patients are malnourished on arrival at hospital, rising to 30 per cent in England and falling to 24 per cent in Scotland.

99

% of hospitals had a nutrition screening policy in 2011 compared with 79 per cent in 2007.

67

% of patients’ weight was recorded in 2011, up from 50 per cent in 2007.

universal screening tool (MUST) used in eight out of ten hospitals. Yet the charity argues that more hospitals need support teams to manage complex cases. BAPEN executive honorary officer and consultant nurse Andrea Cartwright said nutritional support teams were a time-efficient ‘one-stop shop’ to ensure patients had the support they need. ‘Having

all the professionals working together can make the patient’s journey faster, streamlining their pathway,’ she said. Consultant physician and BAPEN co-founder Marinos Elia said: ‘The results reflect the changes and improvements seen between 2007 and 2011, but there is still room for much more to be done. We hope the recent publication of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence quality standard and a focus on nutritional screening in all nations of the UK will result in greater prioritisation and further improvements in the provision of good nutritional care.’ In 2007 Nursing Standard launched the Nutrition Now campaign to raise awareness of the fact that food and water are as important as medicine for patients. The campaign, which was backed by the RCN, saw more than 1,000 healthcare workers receive training to raise nutrition standards in health and social care. For more information go to tinyurl.com/malnourish

Tea, scones and a chat help spread the message on eating and drinking Nurses served afternoon tea on hospital wards last week as part of a global campaign highlighting the importance of good nutrition and hydration. Bradford Royal Infirmary staff nurse Neelam Ahir and patient Jean Greenwood (pictured) tucked into homemade scones, sandwiches and fruit trifle at the event to mark global nutrition and hydration awareness week. Staff spoke to patients and carers about the importance of eating three meals and two snacks a day to build their strength.

NURSING STANDARD

march 26 :: vol 28 no 30 :: 2014 11

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Support teams can help patients arriving at hospitals malnourished.

Almost one third of adults in the UK are malnourished on admission to hospital, a report states...
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