Nutricia’s support package underpins new “MUST” tool

Citation

(2004), "Nutricia’s support package underpins new “MUST” tool", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 34 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2004.01734eab.013

Nutricia’s support package underpins new “MUST” tool

Nutricia Clinical Care has produced a unique, flexible educational package to assist healthcare professionals in understanding and implementing the new “Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool” (“MUST”) effectively.

The “MUST”, developed by the Malnutrition Advisory Group (MAG) was introduced at the end of 2003 to help combat the problems of malnutrition, estimated to affect at least two million people in the UK. The “MUST” is the first tool that facilitates reliable nutritional screening across all adult care settings. It has been estimated that one in seven subjects aged 65 years and over have a medium or high risk of malnutrition, with the prevalence being higher in institutionalised subjects.

Malnutrition is frequently under-recognised and under-treated and the consequences of this for individuals and the health service are widespread. Malnutrition predisposes to disease, delays recovery and can adversely affect body function, well-being and clinical outcomes. Individuals identified as at a risk of malnutrition make more GP visits and require more prescriptions; older malnourished persons are more likely to be admitted to hospital, require longer hospital stays and are more likely to go to other health care destinations. These adverse effects of untreated malnutrition have financial implications estimated to be in the order of £15-20 billion. Concern is widespread among healthcare professionals, institutions and the government.

If you would like more information about the “MUST” and about Nutricia’s Screening Support Package, contact: Clinical Nutrition Direct Tel: 01225 751098; E-mail: cndirect@nutricia.co.uk. To obtain the “MUST” resources, contact the BAPEN office, Tel: 01527 457850; E-mail: bapen@sovereignconference.co.uk