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Profiling Malnutrition Prevalence among Australian Rural In-Patients Using a Retrospective Census of Electronic Medical Files over a 12-Month Period

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Listed:
  • Laura Alston

    (Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
    Deakin Rural Health, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia
    Colac Area Health, Colac, VIC 3250, Australia)

  • Megan Green

    (Colac Area Health, Colac, VIC 3250, Australia)

  • Vincent L Versace

    (Deakin Rural Health, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Kristy A. Bolton

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Victoria, Australia)

  • Kay Widdicombe

    (Colac Area Health, Colac, VIC 3250, Australia)

  • Alison Buccheri

    (Colac Area Health, Colac, VIC 3250, Australia)

  • Didir Imran

    (Colac Area Health, Colac, VIC 3250, Australia)

  • Steven Allender

    (Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Liliana Orellana

    (Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

  • Melanie Nichols

    (Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia)

Abstract

In-patient malnutrition leads to poor outcomes and mortality, and it is largely uninvestigated in non-urban populations. This study sought to: (1) retrospectively estimate the prevalence of malnutrition as diagnosed by dietetics in the rural Australian setting; (2) establish the proportion of all patients at “nutritional risk”; and (3) explore associations between demographic and clinical factors with malnutrition diagnosis and nutritional risk. A retrospective census was undertaken of medical files of all patients aged ≥18 years admitted to a rural hospital setting over a 12-month period. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between malnutrition diagnosis, nutritional risk and patient-related factors. In total, 711 admissions were screened during the 12-month period comprising 567 patients. Among the 125 patients seen by dietitians, 70.4% were diagnosed with malnutrition. Across the total sample, 77.0% had high levels of nutrition related symptoms warranting a need for further assessment by dietitians. Malnutrition diagnosis by dietitians was associated with being over the age of 65 years, and patients had higher odds of being admitted to a residential aged care facility following discharge. In this rural sample, the diagnosis rate of malnutrition appeared to be high, indicating that rural in-patients may be at a high risk of malnutrition. There was also a high proportion of patients who had documentation in their files that indicated they may have benefited from dietetic assessment and intervention, beyond current resourcing.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Alston & Megan Green & Vincent L Versace & Kristy A. Bolton & Kay Widdicombe & Alison Buccheri & Didir Imran & Steven Allender & Liliana Orellana & Melanie Nichols, 2020. "Profiling Malnutrition Prevalence among Australian Rural In-Patients Using a Retrospective Census of Electronic Medical Files over a 12-Month Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5909-:d:399203
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lisa A. Barker & Belinda S. Gout & Timothy C. Crowe, 2011. "Hospital Malnutrition: Prevalence, Identification and Impact on Patients and the Healthcare System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-14, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tracy L. Schumacher & Laura Alston & Luke Wakely & Rachel Latter & Kelly Squires & Susan Heaney & Leanne J. Brown, 2022. "Characterizing the Health of Older Rural Australians Attending Rural Events: Implications for Future Health Promotion Opportunities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.

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