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) issued a ruling in October 2022 for the Global Malnutrition Composite Score (GMCS) to be used as a quality measure for hospitals.
What is the Global Malnutrition Composite Score?
Stewarded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and developed by Avalere, the GMCS is the first nutrition-focused electronic clinical quality measure in any CMS payment program. It evaluates the percentage of hospitalizations for adults 65 years and older with a stay of at least 24 hours who received optimal malnutrition care. Beginning in 2026, the GMCS will expand to adults aged 18 and older.
The GMCS 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.
Article originally published on April 23, 2022; updated Sept. 26, 2024.
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