ABSTRACT
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................. 481 Screening for Malnutrition ...................................................................................................................................................... 481
Subjective Global Assessment ........................................................................................................................................... 482 The Nutrition Screening Initiative ...................................................................................................................................... 483
The Checklist ................................................................................................................................................................. 483 Implementation Strategies ............................................................................................................................................. 483 Implementation Partners ................................................................................................................................................ 483
Mini-Nutritional Assessment ............................................................................................................................................. 485 Unique Nutritional Screening Tools ................................................................................................................................... 486
Nutritional Assessment in Older Adults .................................................................................................................................. 488 Anthropometric Measures .................................................................................................................................................. 488 Biochemical Measures ....................................................................................................................................................... 488 Immunologic Assessment................................................................................................................................................... 488 Socioeconomic Status ........................................................................................................................................................ 489
Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................. 489 References ............................................................................................................................................................................... 490
Malnutrition is not a condition that occurs rapidly; it is a chronic condition that develops slowly over time. It is widely accepted that malnutrition from any etiology is not a positive factor in health status, and may have a negative impact on other health conditions. There have been many reports of the health consequences of malnutrition, particularly in hospitalized individuals where poor nutritional status has been associated with increased lengths of hospital stay, poor wound healing, other comorbidities, complications, incomplete rehabilitation, readmissions, and mortality.1-6 This is particularly important because it has been estimated that 85% of noninstitutionalized older adults have one or more chronic conditions, many of which are related to nutritional status.7 If it is possible to identify indicators of risk for the development of malnutrition, and these factors are reversible conditions, then interventions that will alleviate risk can be instituted before malnutrition becomes overt and worsens chronic conditions.8
