Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
We looked at how we could improve the quality of the patient experience by working towards preventing malnutrition whilst in hospital.
We implemented a new role to support nutrition, hydration and complex/challenging feeding issues on the Acute Older People wards and Acute Stroke Unit within the Medical Directorate to enhance the nursing team.
We aimed to prove that having a dedicated member of staff, focused purely on nutrition, could markedly improve the nutritional care of patients. Having previously analysed the complaints and the evidence in relation to lack nutrition and hydration, weight loss and help with complex eating problems, we wanted to make a difference for our patients.
The benefits we have seen include:
● Improved quality of information and documentation, in particular food and fluid charts
● Patients get what they want to eat
● Improved feeding techniques for complex swallows and dementia patients
● Huge reduction in complaints
● Fluid intake improved meeting Department Of Health Guidelines of 1500mls day. This is rarely achieved with dysphagia patients normally
● Reduction in need for intravenous and subcutaneous fluids therefore reducing risk of discomfort, infection and cost
● Patient and carer satisfaction
● Weight loss is monitored showing weight maintenance or on occasions an increase
● Increased energy levels to aid with rehabilitation, mood.
By working closely with speech and language therapists and dieticians we have been able to implement more demanding feeding patterns for some patients who may not have received such dedicated care in the past due to time constraints.
This additional role identifies patients who need that extra input into their nutritional care.
Contact: Marie Mignott, Senior Matron on 07917 650816 or Marie.Mignott@derbyhospitals.nhs.uk
