The journal of nutrition, health & aging
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J Nutr Health Aging · May 2010
Undiagnosed malnutrition and nutrition-related problems in geriatric patients.
Malnutrition is common in geriatric patients and associated with poor outcome. If recognised, effective treatment is possible. In recent years, low nutritional awareness among health care professionals (HCPs) has been deplored with respect to the general hospital population. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess to which extent malnutrition and nutrition-related problems are documented by physicians and nursing staff in geriatric patients and whether nutrition support is used in daily clinical routine. ⋯ Despite high prevalence rates among geriatric patients, malnutrition and nutrition-related problems are rarely recognised and treated. In order to improve nutritional care, routine screening and standard protocols for nutritional therapy should be implemented in geriatric hospital wards.