Prevalence of current nutrition care practices for disease-related malnutrition in Canadian hospitals

Abstract

Disease-related malnutrition is common in hospital patients. The Health Standards Organization Canadian Malnutrition Prevention, Detection, and Treatment Standard was published in 2021. The purpose of this study was to determine the current state of nutrition care in hospitals prior to implementation of the Standard. An online survey was distributed to hospitals across Canada via email. A representative reported on nutrition best practices based on the Standard at the hospital level. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were completed for selected variables based on size and type of hospital. One hundred and forty-three responses from nine provinces were received (56% community, 23% academic, and 21% other). Malnutrition risk screening was being completed on admission in 74% ( n = 106/142) of hospitals, although not all units participated in screening all patients. Nutrition-focused physical exam is completed as part of a nutrition assessment in 74% ( n = 101/139) of sites. Flagging a malnutrition diagnosis ( n = 38/104) and physician documentation (18/136) were sporadic. Academic and medium (100–499 beds) and large hospitals (500+ beds) were more likely to have a physician document a malnutrition diagnosis. Some, but not all, best practices are occurring in Canadian hospitals on a regular basis. This demonstrates a need for continued knowledge mobilization of the Standard.