Did you know?
- Malnourished patients are more likely to develop a pressure ulcer in the hospital
- Malnourished patients have a greater length of stay than those screened and treated early
- Almost HALF of the patients who fall in the hospital are malnourished
- Patients with malnutrition have greater risk of surgical site infection
Malnutrition should be diagnosed when 2 or more of the following 6 criteria are identified:
1. Insufficient Energy Intake
2. Weight Loss
3. Loss of Muscle Mass
4. Loss of Subcutaneous Fat
5. Localized or generalized fluid accumulation that may sometimes mask weight loss
6. Diminished functional status as measured by hand grip strength
Note: ALBUMIN and PREALBUMIN are not part of these criteria.
Download the complete tip, Malnutrition: Reducing Readmissions.