Is your aged care facility ready for the malnutrition screening Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards?

Do you currently screen your residents using a validated malnutrition screening tool or have systems in place for this?

Standard 5.5.5 of the new Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

The provider implements processes to maintain an older person’s nutrition and hydration by:

1. Conducting regular malnutrition screening
2. Minimising the impact of chronic disease
3. Responding to the risk of malnutrition and when an older person is malnourished or has unplanned weight loss or gain. 

These guidelines do not clearly specify how frequently malnutrition screening should be conducted. It is best practice to screen all residents using a validated malnutrition screening tool at admission, when health conditions change and every 3-6 months. 

It is also recommended that processes are put in place to ensure that this is done to meet the strengthened standards. 

Older Adults at Risk of Malnutrition

All older adults are at risk of malnutrition regardless of whether they are overweight or underweight. It is estimated that between 30-70% of residents in Residential Aged Care are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.

Early detection and management is essential to avoid falls, wounds, infections and hospital admissions.

Malnutrition screening using a validated screening tool is a simple and quick way to identify residents who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. 

Whilst there are a number of validated malnutrition screening tools, the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA -SF) are validated and recommended screening tools for older adults.

Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST)

The MST is a 2-question screening tool which assesses weight loss and oral intake in the last 6 months. If a resident scores 2 or more the resident is considered at risk of malnutrition and further action is required.

 Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF)

The MNA SF is a 6-question screen which looks at a number of things such as weight loss, oral intake, BMI and cognitive/physical changes to their health in the last 3 months.

Residents who score 0-11 are either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition and further action is required. 

What further action is required?

For those screened as malnourished or at risk of malnutrition further action may include;

• Referral to GP for exclusion of medical causes
• Referral to the Dietitian for more individualised assessment/ medical nutrition therapy. 
• Referral to the Speech Pathologist to assess for swallowing and chewing issues. 
• Referral to the Dentist if dental issues have been identified.
• Referral to the Psychologist to manage anxiety/depression affecting oral intake.

Contact Food Solutions if you would like staff training on malnutrition screening, or assistance with managing residents with Malnutrition.