Managing Adult Malnutrition

Including a pathway for the appropriate use of
oral nutritional supplements (ONS)


A number of resources are available for healthcare professionals:
  • RESOURCES: ALPHABETICAL A-G
    • Cancer Resources – DOWNLOAD
    • Care Co-ordinators – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Care Homes – COVID-19 information - DOWNLOAD
    • Care Homes Fact Sheet - DOWNLOAD
    • Care Homes Resources - DOWNLOAD
    • Care Homes Top Ten Tips for using the Pathway - DOWNLOAD
    • Care Plans - DOWNLOAD
    • Clinical Pharmacists – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Community Pharmacists – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • COPD resources - DOWNLOAD
    • Counting the Cost of Malnutrition and Its Management Presentation - DOWNLOAD
    • COVID-19 Resources – DOWNLOAD
    • Dietitians – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Dietitians Resources - DOWNLOAD
    • Dietitians Top Ten Tips for using the Pathway - DOWNLOAD
    • Discharge Resources - MORE
    • Dysphagia Fact sheet - DOWNLOAD
    • Eating well – Advice for patients and carers: for those at low risk of malnutrition - DOWNLOAD
    • Eating Well for Your Lungs: for those with COPD at low risk of malnutrition - DOWNLOAD
    • Falls Fact Sheet - DOWNLOAD
    • GPs – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • GP Resources - DOWNLOAD
    • GP Top Ten Tips for using the Pathway - DOWNLOAD
    • Guide to Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community presentation - DOWNLOAD
  • RESOURCES: ALPHABETICAL H-M
    • Health and Wellbeing Coach – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Improving Your Nutrition in COPD - for those with COPD at medium risk of malnutrition - DOWNLOAD
    • Initiating Conversations about Weight Loss and Diet DOWNLOAD
    • Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community Document - DOWNLOAD
    • Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community Pathways - DOWNLOAD
    • Managing Malnutrition in the Community with Oral Nutritional Supplements - DOWNLOAD
    • Managing Malnutrition in COPD Document - DOWNLOAD
    • Managing Malnutrition in COPD Pathways - DOWNLOAD
  • RESOURCES: ALPHABETICAL N-S
    • News page - DOWNLOAD
    • Newsletters - DOWNLOAD
    • Nurse Associate/Trainee – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Nurse Resources - DOWNLOAD
    • Nurses Top Ten Tips for using the Pathway - DOWNLOAD
    • Nutrition Drinks (known as Oral Nutritional Supplements) – Advice for patients and carers: for those at high risk of malnutrition - DOWNLOAD
    • Nutrition Support in COPD: for those with COPD at high risk of malnutrition - DOWNLOAD
    • Occupational Therapists – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Oral Nutritional Supplement prescriptions - DOWNLOAD
    • Paramedics – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Patient and carer resources - DOWNLOAD
    • Pharmacist resources - DOWNLOAD
    • Pharmacists top ten tips for using the pathway - DOWNLOAD
    • Pharmacists Supplement Newsletter - DOWNLOAD
    • Pharmacy Technicians – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Physician Associates – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Physiotherapists – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Podcasts - DOWNLOAD
    • Poster - DOWNLOAD
    • PowerPoint presentations - DOWNLOAD
    • Practice Nurses – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Practice Pharmacists – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Protein foods - DOWNLOAD
    • Protein foods fact sheet for healthcare professionals - DOWNLOAD
    • Protein foods fact sheet for patients - DOWNLOAD
    • Register for Updates/Poster - DOWNLOAD
    • Sarcopenia fact sheet – DOWNLOAD
    • Share Best Practice - DOWNLOAD
    • Social Prescribers – PCN microsite - DOWNLOAD
    • Speech and Language Therapists resources - DOWNLOAD
    • Subjective Indicators of Malnutrition - DOWNLOAD
    • Symptoms and Problems - DOWNLOAD
  • RESOURCES: ALPHABETICAL T-Z
    • Videos - DOWNLOAD
    • Your Guide to Making the Most of Your Food – Advice for patients and carers: for those at medium risk of malnutrition - DOWNLOAD
  • MANAGING ADULT MALNUTRITION IN THE COMMUNITY

    The term malnutrition can refer to both over and under nutrition. In this guide, malnutrition refers to under nutritionA practical guide and pathway to assist community healthcare professionals in identifying and managing the 3 million people in the UK at risk of disease-related malnutrition. It has been developed by a multi-professional team and is supported/endorsed by ten key organisations.

    DOWNLOAD

  • MANAGING MALNUTRITION WITH ORAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS (ONS)

    ONS: Oral Nutritional SupplementsAn A4 two sided printable leaflet which gives healthcare professionals an overview of malnutrition and includes information on the types of ONS available and patient suitability. It details the different styles, flavours and products available as a quick guide.

    DOWNLOAD

  • MALNUTRITION SLIDE PRESENTATIONS
    A Guide to Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community

    A Guide to Managing Adult Malnutrition in the CommunityThis presentation gives an overview of the Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community guide. It includes referenced background information on the clinical and financial consequences of malnutrition as well as information on key national guidelines and reports which focus on the identification and treatment of malnutrition.

    GO TO SLIDE PRESENTATION

    Counting the Cost of Malnutrition and its Management

    A Guide to Managing Adult Malnutrition in the CommunityThis presentation focuses on the huge financial burden (>£23 billion per year) that malnutrition places on health and social care in the UK (with a breakdown for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales). It discusses how we might reduce these costs and support NICE guidance through identification and timely management.

    GO TO SLIDE PRESENTATION

  • DYSPHAGIA FACT SHEET

    A fact sheet on dysphagiaAn A4 eight page printable document written by healthcare professionals.

    DOWNLOAD


  • FALLS FACT SHEET

    A fact sheet on fallsAn A4 four page printable document written by healthcare professionals.

    DOWNLOAD


  • OPTIMISING NUTRITIONAL CARE IN CANCER

    The following resource focuses on nutritional issues that are a result of the side effects of cancer and it’s treatment

    CANCER RESOURCE PAGE

    A number of patient and carer leaflets focusing on dealing with common symptoms are also available:

  • SARCOPENIA FACT SHEET

    A fact sheet on sarcopenia, muscle loss, muscle weaknessAn A4 printable document written by healthcare professionals.

    DOWNLOAD


  • POSTER FOR USE IN GP SURGERIES

    Poster: using ‘MUST’ Care PathwayManaging Malnutrition According To Risk Category Using ‘MUST’ Care Pathway – General Practice. An A4 printable poster, for display in the GP surgery, outlining the care pathway that should be followed for individuals at risk of malnutrition in the community.

    DOWNLOAD

  • TIP SHEETS FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: IMPLEMENTING THE PATHWAY

    DIETITIANS: TEN TOP TIPS on actions Dietitians might consider in order to implement the use of the malnutrition pathway in their area and engage stakeholders and community healthcare professionals in the identification and treatment of malnutrition.

    DOWNLOAD

    GPs: TEN TOP TIPS on how GPs might incorporate malnutrition screening and treatment into their everyday activities particularly in high risk groups.

    DOWNLOAD

    PHARMACISTS: TEN TOP TIPS on time and resource efficient actions that Pharmacists might consider in order to ensure patients with malnutrition are identified and treated. Tips separated into those specific to Community Pharmacists and those for Pharmacists in GP Surgeries.

    DOWNLOAD

    NURSES: TEN TOP TIPS for Nurses on integrating nutritional screening and care into their current practice and how they might engage with other key stakeholders to implement the malnutrition pathway.

    DOWNLOAD

    CARE HOMES: TEN TOP TIPS for those working in care homes on the identification and management of malnutrition, including the implementation of care plans and engagement with other care home personnel to create an environment that prevents malnutrition.

    DOWNLOAD

  • CARE HOMES
    AVAILABLE NOW

    We have a selection of resources on a dedicated care homes page on this site:

    VIEW

    Top Ten Tips for Care Homes

    A guide for care homesTo provide good nutritional care it is important that team members across an organisation are actively engaged in the care of malnourished residents and those at risk of malnutrition. This information sheet is aimed at all care home staff and gives key tips on managing malnutrition in a care home setting.


    Care Homes Fact Sheet

    A guide for care homesA fact sheet outlining why older people and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, why is it important for care and residential homes to acknowledge the problem and key considerations for care homes in identifying and managing malnutrition amongst residents.

  • CARE PLANS

    The ‘Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community’ guide has joined forces with the National Nurses Nutrition Group (NNNG) to develop three malnutrition care plans for use with patients in residential and nursing home settings who are either at low, medium or high risk of malnutrition according to the 'Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool' ('MUST'). The care plans have been designed to complement the ‘Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community’ guide and pathway for using oral nutritional supplements, and aims to assist nurses and care staff in their day to day care of patients at risk of malnutrition.

    VIEW

  • PODCASTS, WEBINARS AND VIDEOS

    A library of podcasts, webinars and short videos featuring experts in malnutrition: "Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community". Includes:

    • A series of podcasts focusing on identifying and managing patients with malnutrition
    • Nutritional challenges in COPD
    • Malnutrition – what more can I do as a GP?
    • Case studies in Malnutriton
    • Counting the cost of malnutrition and its management
    • Case studies in malnutrition
    • What the experts say about malnutrition in the community
    • Malnutrition in the UK
    • Implementing Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community
    • Information on who has been involved in the development of Managing Adult Malnutrition in the Community

    VIEW

  • RESOURCES FOR USE WITH PATIENTS AND CARERS

    Nutritional advice and tips on how to enjoy your food and for using oral nutritional supplements where appropriate; leaflets for patients and carers.

    VIEW

  • DISCHARGE RESOURCES

    To ensure high quality and continuity of nutritional care of patients from the hospital to community setting the need for consistent and comprehensive communication in the discharge process is widely recognised. Patients with altered nutritional requirements need nutritional planning and the provision of continued care once back at home. This discharge process requires co-ordination and the participation of all relevant healthcare staff.

    The Dietetic team at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) has developed a standarised discharge communication letter to be used by all dietetic teams across their trust. The main objectives of developing this letter were to:

    • Provide a concise dietetic report/summary including all relevant and appropriate information for a prescription request
    • Ensure patients meet ACBS criteria for an ONS prescription
    • Avoid errors in prescribing through providing sufficient information for GPs to electronically prescribe nutritional products e.g. ONS volume, product, duration of prescription
    • Provide clear information regarding actions required by clinicians, as well as dietetic outcomes of the intervention and comprehensive follow up advice
    The team worked with local GPs and other stakeholders throughout the development process. Alongside the letter a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been created to promote ease of use by Dietitians; this provides guidance on how to complete and adapt the letter - ensuring relevant boxes are included or deleted as appropriate.
    Thank you to the team for sharing their resources on the malnutrition pathway website.

    VIEW

primary care networks resources for health professionalsMalnutrition Pathway Primary Care Network Portal

Designed to support members of the PCN team to understand their role in identifying malnutrition and the appropriate action to take to treat or prevent it:

GO TO PCN SITE


Resources

A selection of publications for use by healthcare professionals, patients and carers are available in the resources section of the website.

RESOURCES AREA

Support for Patients & Carers

A number of resources are available that have been developed to support patients and carers.

PATIENTS & CARERS

Specific support for common conditions

A number of resources are available that have been developed to assist healthcare professionals supporting patients at risk of malnutrition as a result of a specific condition. These include:

COPD

Further Information

We can be contacted regarding the malnutrition pathway materials and website

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