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Current Nutrition Screening & Assessment Practices in Use According to Members of the Texas and Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Author(s) -
Hurlimann Tiffany,
Phelps Josh,
Crook Tina,
Hakkak Reza
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.675.12
Subject(s) - medicine , malnutrition , health care , clinical nutrition , family medicine , national health and nutrition examination survey , nursing , gerontology , environmental health , population , pathology , economics , economic growth
Registered dietitians use nutrition screening tools and assessments to identify patients at risk for malnutrition in acute care settings. According to the Joint Commission, identifying patients at risk of malnutrition can aid in improving patient health outcomes, reducing hospital stays and healthcare costs. The purpose of this study was to determine which nutrition screening and assessment tools are currently being implemented by registered dietitians in healthcare settings in Texas and Arkansas. This was a cross‐sectional study; data were obtained from 31 dietitians through an anonymous 34‐question survey powered by Survey Monkey. The survey included questions about current nutrition screening and assessment practices. The survey link and description of the study were sent out through emails or (e‐blasts) from the President of the East Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Communication's Chair of the Dallas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Executive Director of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey data and describe participants’ pooled responses. All data were analyzed using Survey Monkey analysis tools. Approximately 58% of participants were unfamiliar with the consensus statement regarding malnutrition from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). A variety of validated and non‐validated nutrition screening and assessment tools are in use in healthcare settings in Texas and Arkansas. Results did not indicate consistent use of screening or assessment tools across settings. This study did not show complete compliance with screening patients within 24 hours of admission to a hospital. It can be concluded that there needs to be more consistency with nutrition screening and assessment for the different patient populations. Participant response varied from using both validated and non‐validated nutrition screening and assessment tools. Further research could determine if validated nutrition screening and assessment tools are actually needed to assess patients for malnutrition in the hospital setting due to lack of consistency with using validated tools. Additional questions can be addressed in further research regarding time, resources, and training to determine why validated tools are not being used. Support or Funding Information Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences