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Survey to tackle UK malnutrition | Survey to tackle UK malnutrition |
(1 day later) | |
A major survey is to try to establish how many people are malnourished when they enter hospitals and care homes. | A major survey is to try to establish how many people are malnourished when they enter hospitals and care homes. |
The three-day investigation by nutrition charity Bapen - assessing more than 500 institutions across the UK - is the first of its kind. | The three-day investigation by nutrition charity Bapen - assessing more than 500 institutions across the UK - is the first of its kind. |
Based on studies carried out 10 years ago, an estimated 30% of patients in hospitals and care homes are clinically malnourished - a total of 3m people. | Based on studies carried out 10 years ago, an estimated 30% of patients in hospitals and care homes are clinically malnourished - a total of 3m people. |
Malnourished people stay in hospital longer and are more prone to infection. | Malnourished people stay in hospital longer and are more prone to infection. |
The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (Bapen) hopes its Department of Health-backed survey will give hospitals and care homes a clearer idea of the scale of malnourishment in the community. | The British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (Bapen) hopes its Department of Health-backed survey will give hospitals and care homes a clearer idea of the scale of malnourishment in the community. |
Over the next three days, all patients admitted to a participating hospital will be screened. | Over the next three days, all patients admitted to a participating hospital will be screened. |
All those who have entered a participating care home in the past six months will also be screened. | All those who have entered a participating care home in the past six months will also be screened. |
Three-quarters of the institutions are in England, 12% in Scotland and the rest in Wales and Northern Ireland. | Three-quarters of the institutions are in England, 12% in Scotland and the rest in Wales and Northern Ireland. |
Core standards | Core standards |
There has been fresh focus on malnutrition in recent years. | There has been fresh focus on malnutrition in recent years. |
In 2004, the Department of Health issued core standards for the NHS which commit trusts to providing patients with a balanced and nutritional diet. | In 2004, the Department of Health issued core standards for the NHS which commit trusts to providing patients with a balanced and nutritional diet. |
MALNUTRITION EFFECTS Impaired immune responsesReduced muscle strength and fatigueIncreased difficulties in breathingImpaired thermoregulationImpaired wound healingApathy, depression and self-neglectPoor libido | |
Two years later, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued guidelines recommending that all new patients be routinely screened on admission and offered specialist nutritional support if necessary. | Two years later, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued guidelines recommending that all new patients be routinely screened on admission and offered specialist nutritional support if necessary. |
But charities such as Age Concern complain malnutrition remains prevalent because policy is not necessarily being put into practice. | But charities such as Age Concern complain malnutrition remains prevalent because policy is not necessarily being put into practice. |
Nurses, it is often argued, simply do not have the time to ensure patients are eating properly. | Nurses, it is often argued, simply do not have the time to ensure patients are eating properly. |
The problem is an expensive one, thought to cost the NHS more than £7bn every year. | The problem is an expensive one, thought to cost the NHS more than £7bn every year. |
Malnourished people stay in hospital longer, succumb to infection more often and visit their GP more frequently. | Malnourished people stay in hospital longer, succumb to infection more often and visit their GP more frequently. |
They also require longer-term care and more intensive nursing care. | They also require longer-term care and more intensive nursing care. |
However, the symptoms may not be immediately obvious. | |
Malnutrition is a particular problem for the elderly. As many as 10% of people aged over 65 are malnourished. | Malnutrition is a particular problem for the elderly. As many as 10% of people aged over 65 are malnourished. |
That figure rises to 60% when it comes to elderly people in hospital. | That figure rises to 60% when it comes to elderly people in hospital. |
A spokeswoman for Help The Aged said: "Even though we know malnutrition in older people is a huge problem in the community, the evidence is out of date and patchy. | A spokeswoman for Help The Aged said: "Even though we know malnutrition in older people is a huge problem in the community, the evidence is out of date and patchy. |
"This screening week is therefore extremely important. | "This screening week is therefore extremely important. |
"Until we know the extent of the problem, hospitals and care homes won't have the evidence they need to care for malnourished older patients that are admitted." | "Until we know the extent of the problem, hospitals and care homes won't have the evidence they need to care for malnourished older patients that are admitted." |
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