Abstract
Background:
Nutrition is one of the cornerstones of healthy aging. As we age there are many changes in our bodies, including decreased appetite and poor dentition, that contribute to increasing malnutrition. The MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) score is a quick and effective tool to assess this.
Aim:
In this project, we aimed to review MUST score and food chart completion on the frailty wards at EDGH to attempt to improve the nutrition of elderly patients.
Methods:
The charts of 75 patients were reviewed over a period of one month. Following this, a training program for all the nursing staff was put in place. The initial results were discussed and the importance of nutrition in the elderly was highlighted. The staff were shown how to fill in the MUST score and follow management guidelines. Also, a reminder was set up on Nervecentre (electronic patient record) for all staff.
Results:
Of the initial 75 patients;
1 – a MUST score was completed for only 64% on admission.
2 – 41.3% of patients were eating 50% or less of their meals.
3 – In only 27% the reasons why they were not eating were documented.
In the second cycle, 80 patients were included and the results were markedly improved.
1 – The percentage of MUST score completion on admission increased to 91.3%.
2 – Management guidelines were followed in 92.5% of the cases.
3 – 18.8% with a MUST score of two or more, were referred to dietitians at an early stage.
Conclusion:
- Our quality improvement project significantly increased MUST score completion and prompted action at an early stage.
- The next step is to improve the documentation of patient’s food charts and encourage staff to look for and document the reasons why patients are not eating.