Screening patients for nutrition risk

Abstract

Decline in nutritional status is not an inevitable part of the aging process. Rather, it is environmen tally determined and frequently results from inattention to risk factors that can be improved by nutrition screening, assessment, and treatment. Identifying patients who are at risk and providing intervention will save lives and money. This article discusses risk factors and indicators of poor nutritional status and also includes standard tools used to impact clinical outcomes and provide high quality patient care. Key words: nutrition, screening, home care