Using Technology to Identify and Treat Malnutrition

Using Technology to Identify and Treat Malnutrition

Proper diets contribute greatly to a patient’s recovery, yet it can be difficult to identify and treat malnutrition in busy hospitals. Unfortunately, undernutrition is not uncommon, particularly in older populations. Organizations like ASPEN and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics work diligently to raise malnutrition awareness worldwide.

There are numerous potential causes of malnutrition: dysphagia, gastrointestinal issues, reduced appetite due to illness or discomfort, etc. What’s more, restrictions like renal or cardiac diets can limit choices even further. However, a software system can help food and nutrition services effectively monitor and manage patients who need nutrition support.

Vector graphic of a dietitian using technology to identify and treat malnutrition

Identify

Unintended weight loss often correlates with malnutrition, meaning hospitals should track each patient’s weight history to capture any downward trends. It is especially crucial to identify weight loss over longer stays, since a patient’s risk of malnutrition may increase over that time. A software system can provide a centralized source of truth to store patient information, and it can facilitate data analysis.

Once a patient’s risk of malnutrition has been established, nutrition staff can review the patient’s diet order to determine if it may be contributing to their malnourished state. For example, perhaps the patient has been assigned clear liquids or NPO for an extensive period.

An ideal software system will provide functionality to classify patients by their degree of malnutrition (e.g., mild, moderate, severe). These levels should follow CMS guidelines.

Treat

A software system can provide a notes section to unite staff with a common goal of identifying and treating malnutrition. For instance, dietitians can confirm when they completed nutrition assessments and what the next steps will be.

Another key feature is an intake section to document what was served to a patient and what was ingested. Staff can analyze the entries to ensure the patient is receiving and consuming enough nutrients. From there, they can provide supplemental nutrition to increase energy and protein intake in patients with malnutrition. If the healthcare team must provide such supplements, they should be able to record and track these in the software.

When healthcare employees assist patients with meal ordering, they have perfect opportunities to offer guidance. Staff taking meal selections via call center or bedside can review potential meals with the patient to select the best choice. Dynamic nutrient totals for patient-selected menu items are ideal in a software system, as they can highlight beneficial options.

Within hospital policies, consider reviewing and liberalizing menu(s) to encourage adequate intake during inpatient stays. Considering a patient’s preferences will likely result in more successful nourishment and can also decrease food waste.

Watch

Thank you to Marty Yadrick MBI MS RDN LD ACHIP™, Computrition’s Director of Sales Support and Nutrition Informatics! The above suggestions to identify and treat malnutrition stemmed from his webinar, “Identifying & Treating Malnutrition Using a Software System.”

If you are a Computrition customer and would like to view the recording, please visit our support site or contact arm@computrition.com.