2021, Number 1
Nutritional status as an indicator of quality in long-term care center for the elderly
Language: Spanish
References: 13
Page:
PDF size: 66.08 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Malnutrition in care facilities for older adults is a concern. Institutionalization is a high-risk factor for nutritional alterations. The implementation of adaptive measures is necessary to provide adequate nutritional support.Objectives: Describe how the nutritional status of residents in long-term care facilities can be used as an indicator of quality of care.
Methods: A literature search was conducted using information managers and databases PubMed, LILACS, and Google Academics. The Search used Key words, and 14 articles related to the topic were reviewed.
Development: It is essential to recognize that malnutrition is underreported and undertreated in long-term care institutions. Nutritional screening should be part of the routine care and should be systematically performed not only at admission, but also periodically throughout the stay within the institution.
Conclusion: There is no gold standard for evaluating nutrition in nursing homes. Experts recommend the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool or a comprehensive nutritional assessment. Risk factors for malnutrition include limited feeding, low body mass index, severe cognitive impairment, immobility, and age between 85-94 years. It is necessary to implement public and educational policies to improve nutrition in long-term care facilities, focusing on high-risk groups and considering the factors that hinder healthy eating habits.
REFERENCES
Tamura BK, Bell CL, Masaki KH, Amella EJ. Factors Associated With Weight Loss,Low BMI, and Malnutrition Among Nursing Home Patients: A Systematic Review of theLiterature. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association 2013; 14:649–55.Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2013.02.022.
Cereda E, Pedrolli C, Klersy C, Bonardi C, Quarleri L, Cappello S, et al. Nutritionalstatus in older persons according to healthcare setting: A systematic review and metaanalysisof prevalence data using MNA ®. Clinical Nutrition 2016; 35:1282–90. Disponibleen: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2016.03.008.
Bell CL, Tamura BK, Masaki KH, Amella EJ. Prevalence and Measures ofNutritional Compromise Among Nursing Home Patients: Weight Loss, Low Body MassIndex, Malnutrition, and Feeding Dependency, A Systematic Review of the Literature.Journal of the American Medical Directors Association 2013; 14:94–100. Disponible en:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2012.10.012.