MALNUTRITION

Addressing Malnutrition to Support Healthy Outcomes for Patients

Addressing Malnutrition to Support Healthy Outcomes for Patients

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved a new quality measure to help reduce malnutrition.

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Duration
AUG. 23, 2022   3 MINUTES 
Description

Malnutrition affects 20-50% of hospitalized adult patients, yet only approximately 8% are diagnosed. Posing a significant burden to hospitals and patients, malnutrition often leads to increased readmissions, longer lengths of stay, higher health care costs, and increased mortality and morbidity.

To help improve the quality of care for adult patients with malnutrition and help reduce hospital stays and health care costs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a ruling that includes the Global Malnutrition Composite Score (GMCS) as a quality measure for hospitals.

Stewarded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and developed by Avalere, the GMCS is the first nutrition-focused quality measure and first electronic measure in any CMS payment program. With the goal of reducing and eliminating malnutrition, the measure is comprised of four components designed to identify and intervene for malnutrition, mitigate risk, and educate patients to help reduce the occurrence and its impact on health:

1. Screen for malnutrition risk: Nutrition screening using a validated tool upon hospital admission

2. Conduct nutrition assessment: Nutrition assessment using a standardized tool for those identified with nutrition risk

3. Document malnutrition diagnosis: Documentation of nutrition diagnosis for those identified as malnourished

4. Develop nutrition care plan: Establishment of a nutrition care plan for those identified as malnourished or at risk

These four components of the GMCS were developed, tested, and fine-tuned through the Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative. Implementation of the GMCS and related quality initiatives is an important opportunity for hospitals to address the burden of malnutrition and improve outcomes for patients and families. For more information, visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Malnutrition’s Impact on Underserved Communities

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Factors in your everyday life from where you live to where you work can have an impact on your overall health and well-being. It can determine your access to healthcare, education, economic opportunities, and social support.

People living in under-resourced, low-income communities experience a disproportionate impact on their health due to a lack of resources and services. This is particularly true when it comes to malnutrition, which occurs when people don't receive the right nutrients in the right amounts. Malnutrition occurs in both children and adults, in individuals who are underweight and overweight, and it can have a devastating impact on health.

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The Causes of Undernutrition in Adults: Beyond Inadequate Intake

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Malnutrition exists in different forms, and each type can uniquely affect bodily function at all ages. The causes of nutrition imbalances can vary and are often a complex makeup of individual, community and policy factors. Symptoms depend on the degree of nutrient deficiency and may not always be immediately apparent.

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NUTRITION IS THE FOUNDATION FOR LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE. THAT’S WHY WE WORK HARD TO ADVANCE AND SHARE THE LATEST SCIENCE AND CREATE BETTER WAYS TO NOURISH YOUR BODY AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE.

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