:The Alliance to Advance Patient NutritionKaty Hendricks, 917-595-3057
(the Alliance), an interdisciplinary partnership of five prestigious organizations formed to improve patient outcomes through nutrition intervention, today released its recommended Nutrition Care Model. Presented in a published online today in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and the MEDSURG Nursing Journal, the model offers practical ways in which registered dietitian nutritionists, nurses, hospitalists, physicians and other hospital clinicians can collaborate to promptly diagnose and treat malnourished patients and those at risk for malnutrition.
The paper will also be published in upcoming print issues of the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, the MEDSURG Nursing Journal, and the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Malnutrition is common in the hospital setting, but it is often overlooked. In fact, one in three patients enters the hospital malnourished, which may adversely impact their recovery and increase risk for complications and readmissions. With healthcare reform placing an urgent emphasis on high quality and affordable care, the Alliance recognizes that by identifying and treating malnourished patients, hospitals can significantly improve patient outcomes while reducing costs and meeting reform provisions.
The consensus paper, titled “,” represents recommendations from the Alliance emphasizing the following six principles:
1. Create an institutional culture where all stakeholders value nutrition.
2. Redefine clinicians’ roles to include nutrition care.
3. Recognize and diagnose malnourished patients and those at risk.
4. Rapidly implement comprehensive nutrition interventions and continued monitoring.
5. Communicate nutrition care plan.
6. Develop a comprehensive discharge nutrition care and education plan.
“It is incredibly exciting to offer a novel nutrition care model that clinicians can put into action within their respective hospitals,” said , PhD, RD, FASPEN, Alliance representative from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and editor of the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, who also serves as a professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC). “Registered dietitian nutritionists working in clinical settings understand very well the obstacles we must overcome to create a culture in which nutrition as a central component of health care is valued. The goal of this model is to break through barriers and get patients the nutrition they need.”
“As a hospitalist, I know of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in implementing an effective treatment plan,” said , MD, FHM, an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center and medical director of the hospitalist section as well as the medical director of the University of Kansas Hospital Nutrition Support Service. “Nutrition intervention is a low risk, cost-effective strategy to help improve quality of hospital care, and it’s time to join forces to put better nutrition care plans in place.”
“Providing effective nutrition intervention requires champions and collaboration among all disciplines involved in patient care,” said , DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CMRSN, Alliance representative from the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses and Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Digestive Health department at the University of Virginia (UVA) Health System. “Nurses are on the front lines of care, which means we are with the patients and their families every day. It’s not just one person’s job to provide nutrition to patients; it’s everyone’s responsibility.”
“In developing the principles in this care model, it was very important to empower all clinicians and focus on the value of nutrition in the hospital setting,” said , MS, RD, CNSC, LD, President-Elect of A.S.P.E.N. and Nutrition Support Dietitian for Mount Carmel West Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “We looked at the challenges hospitals face and recommended ways to quickly screen all patients, immediately provide nutrition intervention when needed, and carry the plan through to discharge.”
“Nutrition matters. The time is now to implement a novel, comprehensive nutrition care model that hospitals can leverage to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs,” said , MD, MBA, MS, Divisional Vice President, Scientific and Medical Affairs, Abbott Nutrition. “This model was created from an interdisciplinary perspective and leverages proven examples for success.”
The Alliance to Advance Patient Nutrition is an interdisciplinary partnership dedicated to raising awareness about malnutrition and championing for early nutrition screening, assessment and intervention in hospitals. Founded in 2013, the Alliance is comprised of leaders from the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.), the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) and Abbott Nutrition. The Alliance to Advance Patient Nutrition is made possible with support from Abbott’s nutrition business.
For more information about the Alliance to Advance Patient Nutrition, visit .
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