Canadian Malnutrition Task Force Emphasizes an Unrecognized Public Health Issue in our Canadian Hospitals

VANCOUVER, May 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Today and tomorrow at the Canadian Nutrition Society's annual meeting in Vancouver, The Canadian Malnutrition Task Force (CMTF) is presenting preliminary results of the Nutrition Care in Canadian Hospitals Study underscoring that in the hospital setting, malnutrition is prevalent and that nutritional status deteriorates in many patients and that this may affect clinical outcomes. Nutritional care needs to be improved to promote the recovery process. The Task Force is comprised of concerned healthcare professionals and researchers, looking to address the malnutrition issues in Canadian Hospitals.

CMTF strives to achieve optimal nutritional status for adult and paediatric patients in hospitals and older adults living in the community and in long term care (LTC) facilities, by developing and promoting valid nutrition care processes as part of standard clinical care. Malnutrition is a widespread Canadian issue that requires the public's attention to close the gaps between research and practice in the prevention, detection and treatment of malnutrition in Canadians through the continuum of care.

Previous research studies confirm that optimal nutrition is a significant problem in Canada.

"CMTF is now conducting a new study assessing the issue of malnutrition and nutrition care in Canadian hospitals across the country. This is an important study because patient recovery depends not only on specific disease treatments but it also depends on adequate nutrition. Unfortunately, the role of nutrition care is often not well recognized across our health care system," says Dr. Heather Keller, Professor, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo and Co-Chair of the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force.

This new study, the Nutrition Care in Canadian Hospitals Study, includes locations across the country to assess nutritional status and prevalence of malnutrition, evaluate the practice of nutritional care, identify potential tools to improve the situation, as well as outline the physical, psychological and economic impact of malnutrition and poor nutrition care.

According to preliminary results, the prevalence of malnutrition is about 40 per cent in our Canadian hospitals, with the severely malnourished patients being older with more co-morbidities. Results also suggest that nutritional status deteriorates for some in hospital and malnourished patients have higher mortality. Nutritional status at admission predicts a shorter length of stay, as does eating more than 50 per cent of meals provided and being younger than 60 years of age. This indicates that we need to put more effort into maintaining and improving nutritional status and food intake in hospitalized patients to promote a faster recovery.

It is also important to note that based on this study, physicians don't consistently assess patient nutritional status at admission and discharge and that although most patients were satisfied with food quality, half of them ate less than 50 per cent of their meals for various reasons. A patient satisfaction survey, which was part of the study, identified that patients have challenges with the size of serving portions, being able to reach their meal trays, opening packages and even missing meals for medical procedures.

PRELIMINARY STUDY FINDINGS FOR PATIENT SATISFACTION

The Task Force will continue to finalize the study to garner important insights that will improve the malnutrition situation for countless Canadian patients. Data collection began in August 2010 with the anticipated completion of the study toward the end of the fall 2012.

Original post:
Nutrition Experts Convene to Discuss New Patient Malnutrition Research