Agreement between Estimated and Measured Heights and Weights in Hospitalised Patients - A Retrospective Study

  • Louise van den Berg University of the Free State
  • André Dannhauser University of the Free State
  • Mariette Nel University of the Free State

Abstract

The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) estimates that about 30% of all hospital patients are undernourished and need special nutritional care. ESPEN advises that all patients be screened for nutritional risk on admission. An ideal nutritional risk screening tool should be simple and quick to use by nursing staff when admitting patients to hospital. Tools recommended by ESPEN are the NRS 2002, MUST and MNA – all of which utilise body mass index (BMI = kg/m2) and require accurate recording of a patient’s height and weight.1

Author Biographies

Louise van den Berg, University of the Free State
PhD Department of Nutrition & Dietetics School of Allied Health Professions Faculty of Health Sciences University of the Free State Bloemfontein
André Dannhauser, University of the Free State
PhD Department of Nutrition & Dietetics School of Allied Health Professions Faculty of Health Sciences University of the Free State Bloemfontein
Mariette Nel, University of the Free State
MMedSc Department of Biostatistics Faculty of Health Sciences University of the Free State Bloemfontein
How to Cite
van den Berg, L., Dannhauser, A., & Nel, M. (1). Agreement between Estimated and Measured Heights and Weights in Hospitalised Patients - A Retrospective Study. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 23(2), S73-S74. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/421
Issue
2010: SASPEN Supplement
Section
Short Communications
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