Nurses needed: Identifying malnutrition in hospitalized older adults

摘要: The American population is aging with one in every seven Americans over the age of 65. Throughout healthcare continuum, this segment faced burden malnutrition brought on by many factors including aging, inadequate food intake, and acute chronic medical conditions. loss lean body mass, strength, functionality compound leading to weakness, hospitalizations, overall decreased ability perform activities daily living. Up 60% hospitalized older adults are malnourished but patients go unrecognized undertreated. Nurses a pivotal position change trajectory. often first identify need nutrition intervention integral encouraging nutritional intake from admission through discharge. Effective screening can be conducted nurses minimal time as part process use tool that simple, fast, reliable, valid. As collaborative health care team, effectively communicate results electronic record when prescribed, ensure interventions occur within targeted timeframe. develop procedures provide meal assistance, reliable access snacks across all shifts, help bridge gaps oral supplements an effort address malnutrition.