What nutritional support literature do hospital nursing staff require?

Background Many patients require nutritional intervention to help treat and /or prevent malnutrition. Nursing staff play a key role in identifying maln ourished patients. To improve the management of artificial nutritional supp ort, the Hammersmith Hospital NHS Trust has produced guidelines. This audit aimed to assess the need and adequacy of these guidelines and to examine a ny additional information required. Methods The dietetic department and nursing practice group developed a ques tionnaire. A total of 260 questionnaires were distributed by dietitians, 10 copies of the questionnaire to nurses on 26 wards. The completed forms wer e returned by internal post or collected the dietitian. Results The response rate was 29%. All 77 nurses who responded felt there w as a need for nutrition literature. Seventy-three per cent of nurses were a ware that the guidelines existed; however, referral to the resource was poo r. Requests for additional information encompassed tube feeding and caterin g information. To provide this information, 84% requested a nutrition tutor ial, 81% a preprinted care plan and 96% a ward manual specific to their spe ciality. Conclusions All nurses who were surveyed requested nutrition information. T he current guidelines already reflect the requested information, but usage is poor. We aim to improve access and awareness by the hospital intranet, n utrition education and induction programme. The next update will cover gaps identified and additional requirements outside the guidelines remit will b e discussed with the nursing practice group.