Premium
Self‐reported body weight and height on admission to hospital: A reliable method in multi‐professional evidence‐based nutritional care?
Author(s) -
Geurden Bart,
Franck Erik,
Van Looy Luc,
Weyler Joost,
Ysebaert Dirk
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-172x.2012.02066.x
Subject(s) - dieticians , medicine , malnutrition , body weight , body mass index , physical therapy , nursing
Screening patients' nutritional status on admission to hospital is recommended by evidence‐based guidelines on malnutrition. In practice, self‐reported values for body weight and height are often used by nurses and dieticians. This study assessed the accuracy of self‐reported body weight and height and whether these self‐reported values might be influenced by the nature of the health‐care worker involved. Patients ( n = 611) on admission reported their body weight and height to a nurse and a dietician. Reported values were analysed and compared with the measured values. Self‐reported values for body weight and height on admission are not always accurate. Patients do report different values to different health‐care workers. Self‐reported values for body weight to nurses were more accurate as compared with dieticians. Self‐reported values for body weight and height are subject to observer bias and should be used with caution in nutritional screening and multi‐professional nutritional care.