The identification and assessment of undernutrition in patients admitted to the age related health care unit of an acute Dublin General Hospital

Objectives: To profile those over 65 yr admitted to an acute geriatric medi cal service. To identify and assess their undernutrition risk and quantify the nutritional intervention they received. Methods: Forty-nine consecutive admissions were recruited, 23 various param eters were assessed. A diagnosis of undernutrition was made according to a specifically designed flow chart. Results: Eighty-four per cent of recruits were at risk of undernutrition on admission and 80 per cent were moderately to severely at risk, There was d eterioration from baseline nutritional status in 29 per cent of previously well nourished patients with hospitalization. In the undernourished group, an improvement and/or stasis from baseline was achieved in 75 per cent, wit h intervention. Conclusions: The risk of undernutrition on admission to hospital and during treatment is an indicator of the need for nutrition services and nutrition al screening for all acute medical services for older people.