Nutrition Support
Management of malnutrition
Please follow guidance as per MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) where a score of 2 or more is deemed high risk and requires treatment -
https://www.bapen.org.uk/pdfs/must/must-full.pdf
Local resources to assist with implementation of first line advice–
Six steps to appropriate prescribing of Oral Nutritional Supplements
Quick Reference Formulary (Oral Nutritional Supplements)
https://www.eclipsesolutions.org/UploadedFiles/404_2019%20ONS%20quick%20reference%20formulary.pdf
Patient information leaflets-
Making the Most of your Food
Homemade Fortified Drinks
Request referral to the Dietetic department via eRS if no response after 8 weeks despite implementation of advice.
Please note: Should you suspect an individual is at risk of refeeding syndrome please contact the Dietetic department for advice.
Criteria for determining risk of refeeding syndrome
Patient has one or more of the following:
- BMI less than 16 kg/m2
- unintentional weight loss greater than 15% within the last 3–6 months
- little or no nutritional intake for more than 10 days
- low levels of potassium, phosphate or magnesium prior to feeding.
Or patient has two or more of the following:
- BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2
- unintentional weight loss greater than 10% within the last 3–6 months
- little or no nutritional intake for more than 5 days
-
a history of alcohol abuse or drugs including insulin, chemotherapy, antacids or diuretics.
Malnutrition, ‘Food First’ and oral nutritional supplements training
This training is available to community healthcare professionals across Cornwall who are working with people in their own homes at risk of malnutrition. It covers the following areas:
- malnutrition and screening
- first line nutrition advice
- local nutrition resources
- oral nutritional supplements and their appropriate prescription
- appropriate referral to a dietitian.
If you would like to book this training for your team please email: kccg.prescribing@nhs.net