The high impact actions for nursing and midwifery 1: keeping nourished — getting better

Ward, Liz RGN
Fenton, Katherine MA, RCNT, RM, RGN
Maher, Lynne DProf, MBA, RGN

AUTHORS Liz Ward, RGN, is associate, high impact team, NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement;
Katherine Fenton, MA, RCNT, RM, RGN, is chief nurse and director of clinical standards and workforce, NHS South Central;
Lynne Mather, DProf, MBA, RGN, is interim director for innovation, NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.

Nursing Times 106(27):p 10-11, July 13, 2010.

Malnutrition is often unrecognised and its consequences can be devastating. Ensuring patients receive adequate nutrition and hydration is fundamental

ABSTRACT

Ward L et al (2010) The high impact actions for nursing and midwifery 1: keeping nourished — getting better.Nursing Times;106: 27, 10-11.

Approximately one in four patients in NHS hospitals are either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and as much as 70% of malnutrition in acute hospital admissions is unrecognised and unmanaged. Although most of those who are malnourished live in the community, malnutrition and dehydration are key challenges for NHS organisations. Well hydrated and nourished patients get better more quickly, have a shorter length of stay and a more positive experience of care. Ensuring patients receive all of the nutrients they need is vital to the delivery of good care. This article, the second in our series on the high impact actions for nursing and midwifery, looks at how nurses can reduce malnutrition in their patients.