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Advances in knowledge of screening practices and their use in clinical practice to prevent malnutrition. Proc Nutr Soc 2022; 81:41-48. [DOI: 10.1017/s0029665121003670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Malnutrition is common among older adults and is associated with a progressive decline in overall health and increased mortality. With a rapidly ageing population, the detection, prevention and management of malnutrition require urgent attention within health service planning and delivery. Routine screening for malnutrition among older adults in community settings, which addresses aetiological as well as phenotypic factors, is considered an important step for prevention and early intervention. The aim of this review is to summarise current malnutrition screening literature and highlight research that seeks to understand and address community-based approaches to malnutrition screening and management. Key healthcare professionals (HCPs) that encounter community-dwelling older adults include general practitioners (GPs), community-based nurses, community pharmacists and a range of other health and social care professionals including dietitians, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists. The key barriers to implementing screening in primary care include lack of knowledge about malnutrition among non-dietetic HCPs, lack of resources allocated to managing malnutrition, lack of access to dietetic services, and poor GP knowledge about oral nutritional supplement prescribing. In addition, older adults have poor insight into the clinical condition and the associated negative health implications. Investment in education among HCPs and public awareness is required, as well as accompanying resources to successfully implement malnutrition screening programmes for community-dwelling older adults.
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Disparities in Oral Nutritional Supplement Usage and Dispensing Patterns across Primary Care in Ireland: ONSPres Project. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14020338. [PMID: 35057519 PMCID: PMC8781404 DOI: 10.3390/nu14020338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
When treating malnutrition, oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) are advised when optimising the diet is insufficient; however, ONS usage and user characteristics have not been previously analysed. A retrospective secondary analysis was performed on dispensed pharmacy claim data for 14,282 anonymised adult patients in primary care in Ireland in 2018. Patient sex, age, residential status, ONS volume (units) and ONS cost (EUR) were analysed. The categories of ‘Moderate’ (<75th centile), ‘High’ (75th–89th centile) and ‘Very High’ ONS users (≥90th centile) were created. The analyses among groups utilised t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests and chi-squared tests. This cohort was 58.2% female, median age was 76 years, with 18.7% in residential care. The most frequently dispensed ONS type was very-high-energy sip feeds (45% of cohort). Younger males were dispensed more ONSs than females (<65 years: median units, 136 vs. 90; p < 0.01). Patients living independently were dispensed half the volume of those in residential care (112 vs. 240 units; p < 0.01). ‘Moderate’ ONS users were dispensed a yearly median of 84 ONS units (median cost, EUR 153), ‘High’ users were dispensed 420 units (EUR 806) and ‘Very High’ users 892 yearly units (EUR 2402; p < 0.01). Further analyses should focus on elucidating the reasons for high ONS usage in residential care patients and younger males.
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General practitioners' views on malnutrition management and oral nutritional supplementation prescription in the community: A qualitative study. Clin Nutr ESPEN 2020; 36:116-127. [PMID: 32220354 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Malnutrition or undernutrition, arising from a deficiency of energy and protein intake, occurs commonly among community-dwelling individuals in developed countries. Once identified, malnutrition can be effectively treated in the majority of cases with dietary advice and the prescription of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) for patients who can eat and drink orally. However, previous research has reported inadequate screening and treatment of malnutrition in the community. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore general practitioners' (GPs) experiences and opinions on the management of malnutrition and the prescription of ONS in the primary care/community setting in Ireland. METHODS Sixteen semi-structured interviews including chart stimulated recalls (CSR) were conducted with GPs. The interviews and CSRs explored, among others, the following domains; barriers and facilitators in the management of malnutrition, ONS prescribing in the primary care/community setting, and future directions in the management of malnutrition and ONS prescribing. Recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed following a generic qualitative approach with inductive thematic analysis using NVIVO 12 to facilitate data management. RESULTS Three main themes were identified. Theme 1: 'Malnutrition is a secondary concern', encapsulating the idea that the identification of malnutrition is usually secondary to other clinical issues or disease rather than an independent clinical outcome. This theme also includes the idea that obesity is viewed as a dominant nutritional issue for GPs. Theme 2: 'Responsibility for malnutrition and ONS management in the community', highlighting that GPs feel they do not know who is responsible for the management of malnutrition in the community setting and expressed their need for more support from other healthcare professionals (HCPs) to effectively monitor and treat malnutrition. Theme 3: 'Reluctance to prescribe ONS', emerging from the GPs reported lack of knowledge to prescribe the appropriate ONS, their concern that ONS will replace the patient's meals and the costs associated with the prescription of ONS. CONCLUSIONS GPs in Ireland do not routinely screen for malnutrition in their clinics as they feel unsupported in treating and managing malnutrition in the community due to limited or no dietetic service availability and time constraints. GPs also view malnutrition as a secondary concern to disease management and prioritise referral to dietetic services for patients with overweight and obesity. GPs reported that they have insufficient knowledge to change or discontinue ONS prescriptions. This study demonstrates that there is a clear need for primary care training in malnutrition identification, treatment and management and more community dietetic services are needed in order to support GPs and deliver high quality care to patients.
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Weenen TC, Commandeur H, Claassen E. A critical look at medical nutrition terminology and definitions. Trends Food Sci Technol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Pilot to improve the appropriate prescription of oral nutritional supplements within the Walsall area. Proc Nutr Soc 2012. [DOI: 10.1017/s0029665111003570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Kennelly S, Kennedy NP, Corish CA, Flanagan-Rughoobur G, Glennon-Slattery C, Sugrue S. Sustained benefits of a community dietetics intervention designed to improve oral nutritional supplement prescribing practices. J Hum Nutr Diet 2012; 24:496-504. [PMID: 21884287 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-277x.2011.01197.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare professionals working in the community do not always prescribe oral nutritional supplements (ONS) according to best practice guidelines for the management of malnutrition. The present study aimed to determine the impact of a community dietetics intervention on ONS prescribing practices and expenditure 1 year later. METHODS The intervention involved general practitioners (GPs), practice nurses, nurses in local nursing homes and community nurses. It comprised an education programme together with the provision of a new community dietetics service. Changes in health care professionals' nutrition care practices were determined by examining community dietetics records. ONS prescribing volume and expenditure on ONS were assessed using data from the Primary Care Reimbursement Service of the Irish Health Service Executive. RESULTS Seven out of 10 principal GPs participated in the nutrition education programme. One year later, screening for malnutrition risk was better, dietary advice was provided more often, referral to the community dietetics service improved and ONS were prescribed for a greater proportion of patients at 'high risk' of malnutrition than before (88% versus 37%; P < 0.001). There was a trend towards fewer patients being prescribed ONS (18% reduction; P = 0.074) and there was no significant change in expenditure on ONS by participating GPs (3% reduction; P = 0.499), despite a 28% increase nationally by GPs on ONS. CONCLUSIONS The community dietetics intervention improved ONS prescribing practices by GPs and nurses, in accordance with best practice guidelines, without increasing expenditure on ONS during the year after intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kennelly
- Community Nutrition & Dietetics Service, Health Service Executive Dublin Mid-Leinster, Mullingar, Country Westmeath, Ireland.
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Endevelt R, Lemberger J, Bregman J, Kowen G, Berger-Fecht I, Lander H, Karpati T, Shahar DR. Intensive dietary intervention by a dietitian as a case manager among community dwelling older adults: the EDIT study. J Nutr Health Aging 2011; 15:624-30. [PMID: 21968856 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-011-0074-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials that have assessed the best approach for treating under-nutrition in old age are scarce. OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of an intensive nutritional intervention program led by a dietitian on the health and nutritional status of malnourished community dwelling older adults. METHODS Sixty-eight eligible participants (age<75) were randomly assigned to a Dietetic Intervention Treatment (DIT), an intensive nutritional intervention led by a dietitian, or a Medical Treatment (MT), a physician-led standard care group, with an educational booklet regarding dietary requirements and recommendations for older adults. An additional 59 eligible participants who were unable to participate in the randomization were included as a non-randomized "untreated nutrition" group (UNG). RESULTS Over the 6-month follow-up, the DIT group showed significant improvement in cognitive function (from 25.8±4.5 to 26.8±4, p=0.04), and depression score (from 7.3±3.9 to 5.4±3.9, p=0.04) compared with the change in the other 2 groups. The DIT group showed a significant improvement in intake of carbohydrates (+15% vs. +1% in the MT and +3% in the UNG), protein (+8% vs. +2% in the MT and -3% in the UNG), vitamin B6 (+20% vs. +7% in the MT and +8% in the UNG), and vitamin B1 (+22% vs. +11% in the MT and 0% in the UNG). The DIT group had a significantly lower cost of physician visits than the other 2 groups ($172.1±232.0 vs. $417.2±368.0 in the MT and $428.1±382.3 in the UNG, p=0.005). CONCLUSION Intensive dietary intervention was moderately effective in lowering cost of services used and improving medical and nutritional status among community dwelling older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Endevelt
- Department of Public Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
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Kennelly S, Kennedy NP, Rughoobur GF, Slattery CG, Sugrue S. An evaluation of a community dietetics intervention on the management of malnutrition for healthcare professionals. J Hum Nutr Diet 2010; 23:567-74. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-277x.2010.01111.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Kennelly S, Kennedy NP, Flanagan Rughoobur G, Glennon Slattery C, Sugrue S. The use of oral nutritional supplements in an Irish community setting. J Hum Nutr Diet 2009; 22:511-20. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-277x.2009.00981.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Johnson S, Nasser R, Banow T, Cockburn T, Voegeli L, Wilson O, Coleman J. Use of Oral Nutrition Supplements In Long-term Care Facilities. CAN J DIET PRACT RES 2009; 70:194-8. [PMID: 19958575 DOI: 10.3148/70.4.2009.194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Practices related to oral nutrition supplement (ONS) use were examined in elderly people living in longterm care (LTC) facilities. Methods: Thirteen LTC facilities within a large regional health authority participated, and 17 people responsible for prescribing ONS in their facilities were interviewed, using a key informant telephone survey. A survey on ONS practice wasmodified, pilot tested, and used. Results:Oral nutrition supplements were primarily prescribed by nursing staff (59%), followed by physicians, registered dietitians, or other staff; ONS use was prescribed for decreased intake, unintentional weight loss, or wound healing. Various ONS products (e.g., Ensure, Boost, or Resource 2.0) were prescribed. Only 18% of respondents reported using alternative food options first to supplement nutritional intake, before introducing ONS. In terms of follow-up and evaluation, the measures of improvement included weight gain, wound healing, or improved well-being; reasons for discontinuation included weight gain, increased intake, or death. Conclusions: Within LTC settings, the prescription and monitoring of ONS vary considerably. Evidence-based guidelines for the prescription and monitoring of ONS and for the use of a food-first strategy should be developed, implemented, and evaluated to optimize the nutritional health of the elderly in LTC facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanthi Johnson
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit, University of Regina, Regina, SK
| | - Roseann Nasser
- Dietetic Internship Programme and Clinical Nutrition Services, Department of Nutrition and Food Services, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Regina, SK
| | - Tiffany Banow
- Dietetic Internship Programme and Clinical Nutrition Services, Department of Nutrition and Food Services, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Regina, SK
| | - Tanya Cockburn
- Dietetic Internship Programme and Clinical Nutrition Services, Department of Nutrition and Food Services, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Regina, SK
| | - Leah Voegeli
- Dietetic Internship Programme and Clinical Nutrition Services, Department of Nutrition and Food Services, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Regina, SK
| | - Orina Wilson
- Dietetic Internship Programme and Clinical Nutrition Services, Department of Nutrition and Food Services, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Regina, SK
| | - Jean Coleman
- Dietetic Internship Programme and Clinical Nutrition Services, Department of Nutrition and Food Services, Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Regina, SK
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An educational intervention including ‘MUST’ is successful in improving knowledge about oral nutritional supplements and prescribing practice among community-based health professionals. Proc Nutr Soc 2008. [DOI: 10.1017/s0029665108007556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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An educational intervention including ‘MUST’ is successful in improving
knowledge about oral nutritional supplements and prescribing practice among
community-based health professionals. Proc Nutr Soc 2008. [DOI: 10.1017/s0029665100591083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Abstract
Prescribable oral nutritional supplements are commonly used as a method of nutritional support in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition in adults. There is growing evidence to suggest that when used appropriately in treatment plans, individuals receiving them will benefit from functional and clinical improvements. The use of supplements in the community has increased over the last decade and questions about the increasing costs and efficacy of the products are often raised within health-care communities. The development of guidelines and protocols for the use of supplements in the community that are based on evidence of need and indicate a clear pathway of care, together with intended benefit, should help to address the issues of costly, inappropriate prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Todorovic
- Clinical Nutrition, Doncaster Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust.
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