It is estimated that nearly one out of five pediatric patients and one of three adult patients age 60 and older are malnourished and will experience a decline in their nutritional status during their hospital stay.
Recently, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) participated in a novel study to address this issue directly by providing an education and training intervention with healthcare providers. From January to July 2016, VUMC was the primary test site for implementing the Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative (MQii) study led by principal investigator Heidi Silver, PhD, RD, MS, associate professor of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
Vanderbilt and multiple hospitals nationwide implemented resources and tools developed by the Alliance to Advance Patient Nutrition to combat adult malnutrition. The Alliance is comprised of more than 60 stakeholders nationwide including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Academy of Medical and Surgical Nurses, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the Society for Hospital Medicine.