Screening Tool for Malnutrition

Use a validated nutritional screening tool* to ask your adult patients 6 simple questions1-4

For Healthcare Professionals Only

Please select appropriate options so you can get the most accurate score.

1. Has your patient's food intake declined over the last 3 months?

Consider if your patient has had any food intake decline due to loss of appetite, digestive problems, chewing or swallowing difficulties?

2. Weight loss during last 3 months

Consider if your patient’s lost any weight without meaning to. Try to quantify weight loss with patient.
It is important to answer this question for all patients including those overweight as it may be a sign of malnutrition, if unintentional.

3. Mobility

Consider your patient’s mobility:
Are they able to get out of bed or a chair without assistance?
  • If not, score 0
  • If yes, score 1
    Are they able to leave their home?
  • If yes, score 2

4. Suffered psychological stress or acute disease in last 3 months?

Consider if your patient has any psychological stress recently or if they have been severely ill

5. Neuropsychological problems

Consider if the patient has a diagnosis of dementia, depression or prolonged period of severe sadness. Review patient medical record / Use professional judgment / Ask patient, nursing staff or caregiver.

6. Your patient’s BMI

Consider if your patient has had any food intake decline due to loss of appetite, digestive problems, chewing, or swallowing difficulties.

6. (b) Calf circumference (CC) in cm?

Consider if your patient has had any food intake decline due to loss of appetite, digestive problems, chewing, or swallowing difficulties.

Obtain your patient’s BMI

ft
in
m
st
lb
kg

Your patient BMI is :



Results

Malnourished (0 - 7 points)

This is a screening result. Please refer results of screening and re-screening to dietitian/doctor and record in medical record.

Recommended intervention

1. Initiate Nutrition Support

  • Initiate High Energy, High Protein Oral Nutritional Supplement (ONS)
  • Food fortification
  • Adjust texture, if needed

2. Proceed to nutritional expert referral

3. Monitor closely

At risk of malnutrition (8-11 points)

This is a screening result. Please refer results of screening and re-screening to dietitian/doctor and record in medical record.

Recommended intervention

No weight loss

  • Close weight monitoring
  • Consider referral to a nutritional expert.

Repeat screening:

  • In 1 month – institutionalised patients
  • In 3 months in community dwelling patients

Weight loss

Initiate Nutrition Support:

  • Food fortification
  • Initiate Oral Nutritional Supplement (ONS)
  • Adjust texture, if needed

Proceed to nutritional expert referral

Monitor closely

Not at risk of malnutrition (12-14 points)

This is a screening result. Please refer results of screening and re-screening to dietitian/doctor and record in medical record.

Recommended intervention

Repeat screening:

  • After acute event
  • Every 3 months in institutionalised patients
  • Once per year in community dwelling patients

*Based on Mini Nutritional Assessment MNA® SF: Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form

1. Vellas, et al. J Nutr Health Aging 2006;10:456-465. 2. Rubenstein, et al. J. Geront 2001;56A: M366-377. 3. Guigoz, et al. J Nutr Health Aging 2006; 10:466-487. 4. Kaiser, et al. J Nutr Health Aging 2009; 13:782-788.

Copyright ©2024

Frailty & Disease Related Malnutrition

There are now more people over 65 than under 5 years old. Particularly during times of illness, nutrition place an important role.

Find out more

Pediatric Disease Related Malnutrition

Optimal growth and development are essential for long-term health. Children may face growth challenges due to their medical condition.

Find out more

Are you a healthcare professional or (carer of) a diagnosed patient?

The product information for this area of specialization is intended for healthcare professionals or (carers of) diagnosed patients only, as these products are for use under healthcare professional supervision.

Please click ‘Yes’ if you are a healthcare professional or (carer of) a diagnosed patient, or ‘No’ to be taken to a full list of our products.

No

The information on this page is intended for healthcare professionals only.

If you aren't a healthcare professional, you can visit the page with general information, by clicking 'I'm not a healthcare professional' below.

x