Nutritional State and Care Pathway of Hospitalized Malnourished Patients, Within 3 Months of Admission

Nutritional State and Care Pathway of Hospitalized Malnourished Patients, Within 3 Months of Admission

Malnourished patients are at risk of many complications, including infections, pressure ulcers and readmissions. Little is known about their care pathway after hospital discharge.

This study aims to determine care pathways of malnourished patients after hospital discharge and to determine what they need to better take care of their malnutrition.

All patients hospitalized in the post-emergency unit of Rennes University Hospital during the study period will be screened for malnutrition.

Data concerning newly diagnosed malnourished patients will be recorded and those patients will be contacted 3 months after their hospital discharge.

A qualitative study will be conducted among malnourished patients and their families : a sample of patients and their caregivers will be interviewed to better understand their perception of malnutrition and what they need to better take care of malnutrition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Malnourished patients, hospitalized in the post-emergency unit during the study period, according to the malnutrition diagnostic criteria defined by the French Health Authority :
• age ≥ 70 years old: weight loss ≥ 5% within 1 month or ≥ 10% within 6 months and/or BMI <21 and or serum albumin level < 35 g/l
• age < 70 years old : weight loss ≥ 5% in 1 month or ≥ 10% in 6 months or ≥ 10% compared to the usual weight before the onset of the disease; or BMI <18.5 kg / m2

Non-inclusion criteria :

• refusing to participate in the study
• age < 18 years old
• patients under tutorship or guardianship
• patients living in retirement home
• Patients without a fixed address

Exclusion criteria :

-patients transferred in another unit