Screening, characterising and assessing malnutrition in the hospital setting: A large-scale point prevalence survey

To assess the prevalence of undernutrition, overnutrition, and simultaneous malnutrition in a hospital setting, as well as undernutrition risk and dietetic intervention rates.

A point prevalence survey was conducted annually from 2016 to 2024 (excluding 2020-2021 due to Coronavirus Disease 2019) across three metropolitan health service hospital sites. Eligible multiday inpatients underwent bedside assessments and medical record reviews to determine Body Mass Index, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool scores, and undernutrition status based on either the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, or the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition. Data were analysed descriptively.

Of 5186 patients surveyed, 21.2% were undernourished, 39.5% were overnourished, and 4.8% were simultaneously under- and overnourished. Just over one-third (37.4%) of all participants were at risk of undernutrition. Dietitian intervention rates were highest among the simultaneously malnourished (70.6%) and undernourished (69.6%), and low among the overnourished (3.6%).

The findings underscore the need for improved detection of simultaneous malnutrition and increased rates (towards 100%) of dietary intervention among patients with either under- or simultaneous malnutrition during a patient's hospital stay.