Malnutrition Screening: An Interprofessional Approach in Outpatient Oncology

Malnutrition is highly prevalent in the oncology population and is associated with poor treatment outcomes.

This study aimed to implement a malnutrition screening process using a validated tool in three outpatient cancer centers.

Nursing and nutrition department leaders collaborated to establish malnutrition screening. The Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) was embedded in the electronic health record. Based on the MST, a score of 2 or greater is considered at risk for malnutrition. Nurses were educated on screening all patients completing their first cycle of infusion chemotherapy. Data were collected for six months.

Interprofessional collaboration established a process to implement malnutrition screening. Twenty-eight percent of patients with cancer were at risk for malnutrition. Fifty-three percent were at risk for malnutrition based on MST scores of 2. Compliance with the MST at first infusion visit was 30%-81% across the three cancer centers.