Malnutrition Rife in British Hospitals, Says Watchdog

British nutrition watchdog, BAPEN, has expressed its concern over rising rate of malnutrition in hospitals and claimed that over a third of those who are admitted to hospitals are at a risk of suffering from malnutrition. Over 185 hospitals and nearly 10,000 patients were surveyed across the country by researchers at the charity organization who found that over 34 percent of the patients were at a risk of malnutrition while over 21 percent of the new admissions were deemed to be at a high risk.

The organization also surveyed care homes and mental health units and found that the prevalence of malnutrition was 37 percent at care homes and over 20 percent in mental health units.

“The increase recorded in risk of malnutrition in hospital admissions during this winter may be due to a higher proportion of patients from more vulnerable groups admitted during this period, which is to be expected at this time of year”, lead researcher Christine Russell said.


Source-Medindia