For more than thirty years, studies have consistently shown that up to 65% of hospital patients are malnourished or at nutritional risk. This percentage is equivalent to over 31 million U.S. individuals per year, which exceeds the number of patients affected by healthcare acquired infections (HAI) and medication errors, combined. Malnutrition in hospitalized patients is associated with increased morbidity, such as poor wound healing and complications, mortality, and ultimately increases the cost of healthcare. Malnutrition continues to be a problem in every service area and type of hospital, and for patients on oral nutrition or food, as well as nutrition support.

It is essential to measure the facility specific nutritional care data annually in order to make effective and lasting changes to the nutritional care provided. This webinar will discuss hospital malnutrition and provide the participant with information about a scientific global nutrition assessment and benchmarking tool that can be implemented to support their efforts to provide optimal nutritional care to hospitalized patients. In addition, faculty will highlight the logistical aspects of participation in the annual nutritionDay benchmarking program.

Objectives
1. Explain, with evidence based data, the prevalence of malnutrition in the U.S. healthcare continuum, with a specific focus on hospital patients
2. Describe the impact of complication rates, readmission rates, healing, and higher rates of morbidity and mortality, as well as increased costs resulting from the high prevalence of hospital malnutrition
3. Share lessons learned from participating in nutritionDay on general medical surgical units and intensive care units, over two years
4. Describe the advantages of involving interdisciplinary health care professionals, including students and interns, in your initiative to minimize hospital malnutrition
5. List examples of methods to minimize healthcare malnutrition