Nutritional management in long-term care: Development of a clinical guideline

Background. Involuntary weight loss resulting from malnutrition is a major problem among residents in long-term care facilities. Although body weight is easily measured, the evaluation of unintended weight loss in long-term c are facilities is difficult. Methods. The Council for Nutritional Clinical Strategies in Long-Term Care: an expert panel of interdisciplinary thought leaders representing academia and the medical community, derived a structured approach aimed at improvin g management of malnutrition in long-term care settings, using literature r eview and consensus development. The Clinical Guide to Prevent and Manage M alnutrition in Long-Term Care is based on a best-evidence approach to the m anagement of nutritional problems in long-term care. Results. The Clinical Guide is divided into two parts, one designed for nur sing staff: dietary staff, and dietitians, and a second directed to physici ans, pharmacists, and dietitians. Conclusions. A structured approach to the management of unintended weight l oss or malnutrition in long-term care is intended to ensure a comprehensive resident evaluation. While the Clinical Guide is presented in a linear fas hion, many of the considerations can be done simultaneously and the order v aried dependent on the individual resident's needs. Further research to val idate the effectiveness of using the algorithm in long-term care settings w ill be required.