Report of a nutritional screening audit

Background: Malnutrition in hospitals has been widely documented and nutrit ional screening forms part of the National Professional Standards for Dieti tians. As a result of this concern, a nutrition screening tool has been inc orporated into the nursing care plan documentation. Aims: To audit the use of the screening tool in nursing care plans for elde rly patients and examine the communication methods concerning the need for individual nutritional care. Methods: A standard chart was used to audit patient notes. In addition, a s hort informal interview was conducted with nursing staff. Results: Use of the screening tool was variable and fewer than half of thos e identified by this tool as in need of nutritional care were referred to t he dietitian. Conclusion: Ward staff are prioritizing patients referred for dietetic care , even when,they have been identified by the screening tool, but this is no t always done systematically Improvements could be made in the relevant doc umentation. Further training of ward staff and a follow-up audit should be undertaken.