1. Priority Nutrition Training
Level 1 – General Nutrition Awareness Training
(April 2014)

2. Objectives Know what malnutrition is Understand causes of malnutrition
Be familiar with the effects of malnutrition
Understand what you can do to improve patients nutrition

3. What you need to know…
Malnutrition affects around 3 million people in the UK
The cost of malnutrition is over £13 billion
Patients in hospital are at increased risk of malnutrition

4. Malnutrition
Malnutrition is under nutrition caused by a diet lacking adequate calories, protein and other nutrients.
The Face of Malnutrition
Malnutrition can occur in patients
of all shapes and sizes.

5. Why it’s important … Malnutrition Delays recovery time
Prolongs hospital stay
Increases risk of pressure sores
Increases risk of infection

6. What causes malnutrition?
There are many causes including:
Painful mouth or teeth
Difficulty swallowing
Loss of smell/taste
Poor appetite
Isolation
Poverty
Long term/chronic progressive conditions
diabetes, kidney disease, chronic lung disease, dementia, cancer

7. What you can do … Screen patients Plan nutritional care
On admission and repeat weekly
Use nursing specialist assessment document and the LTHT nutritional screening tool
Plan nutritional care
Use the Oral Nutrition Support Care Plan when indicated
Refer to the Dietitian when indicated

8. Nutritional care Follow the ‘Protected Mealtimes Policy’
Prepare patients and environment
Provide assistance and encouragement
Oral Nutrition Support Care Plan actions
Red tray and red water jug lid
Food and drink charts
Offer snacks twice a day
Start oral nutritional supplement drinks
Awareness of different menus
Modified texture/Kosher/Gluten free/ Multi-cultural

9. Communication Involve the patient in their nutritional care plan
Communicate with other HCP’s
Ward housekeepers
Ward nursing team (healthcare assistants, student and registered nurses)
Dietitian
Medical team
Communicate with others on discharge
E.g. Gp/district nurse/nursing home staff

10. Conclusion Recognise malnutrition risk factors Screen for malnutrition
Prevent and treat malnutrition
Have a nutritional care plan!
Resources
Nutrition and Dietetic webpage