62 and 63 In particular, sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass with low strength or performance) is caused and worsened by injury, illness, and inactivity SP600125 during hospitalization. 65, 66 and 67 Taking these malnutrition syndromes into account, the feedM.E. Group now introduces “screen, intervene,

and supervene” as a guide for delivering prompt and complete nutrition care (Figure 1). When the “screen” step shows that underlying illnesses, injuries, or symptoms are likely to cause malnutrition or its risk, we advise caregivers to consider immediate nutrition care with dietary advice to “intervene” by way of increasing energy and protein intake with dietary fortification or use of oral nutrition supplementation. Such early attention to nutrition (in patients capable of oral feeding) is expected to help prevent or lessen the impact of malnutrition. For those whose screening results suggest malnutrition or risk of malnutrition, we next advise

implementation of the complete Nutrition Care Pathway, which includes advanced strategies for diagnosis of malnutrition and its causes, in turn leading to further “intervene and supervene” steps. Screening patients for malnutrition on admission to the hospital is a new standard of care, and routine screening is likewise appropriate in rehabilitation facilities, long-term care centers, and community health care settings. To ascertain malnutrition risk, we recommend nutrition screening that pairs (1) the 2 Malnutrition Selleck PD-332991 Screening

Tool (MST) questions68 and 69 with (2) a quick clinical judgment about whether the patient’s illness or injury carries risk for malnutrition (Figure 1).61, 62 and 63 The 2 MSTs questions ask the patient about recent weight loss and appetite loss as a way to recognize symptoms of risk for malnutrition.68 and 69 MST is both sensitive and specific, even in older people.68, 70 and 71 Alternatively, the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) is a validated, efficient tool for use with long-term care and community populations.71, 72 and 73 Next the clinician makes OSBPL9 a quick judgment about the patient’s condition and its likelihood to cause or worsen malnutrition. Many chronic diseases (eg kidney disease, cancer, heart failure) and acute conditions (eg infection, surgery, burn, sepsis, or trauma) carry risk for malnutrition. This step of the screen raises awareness of potential risk for malnutrition. If nutrition screening identifies high risk of malnutrition, consider immediate intervention with nutrition advice for increasing or optimizing oral feeding, or oral nutrition supplementation. The intervention portion of the Nutrition Care Pathway includes assessment of nutrition status, malnutrition diagnosis, and implementation of treatment.