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Meal time should be a protected time
01 Sep 10
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Meal time should be a protected timeMalnutrition in hospitals could be slashed and Australia’s health bill cut if hospital staff help elderly patients to eat. Nothing shall be done in the ward while the patients are having their meals. These words were spoken by Florence Nightingale in1859. Yet today, 150 years later, nearly one in three elderly patients in hospitals are malnourished, and a further 60 per cent are at risk of malnutrition. This is partly the result of patients not always receiving the help they need to eat their meals. Dietitians say the supply of hospital food to these patients could be improved, but assistance for elderly people at meal times should be a priority. Many patients are already malnourished when they are admitted to...
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Stephen Braithwaite
Friday, 30 July 2010
I was surprised and dismayed to read that, in such a country as ours - with first-class nursing education - such a fundamental and vital part of our Duty of Care is not being practiced. EVERY nurse should know that nutrition and hydration are VITAL to good health, especially during illness and following surgery. And indeed, ONLY the nurse is in the privileged position to 'be at the bedside' 24 hours a day to provide this, and other, essential aspects of proper nursing care. Given the scope of the study, and the evidence that it is not an isolated incident or location, I have to wonder whether our education system is including this important aspect of nursing care and, if it IS, whether it's importance is being pressed. Increased education and professionalism should ENHANCE vital practice, not NEGATE it.