Introduction The Community Dietetic Service (CNDS) in the Midlands (ROI) provides a domiciliary service for homebound patients at risk of malnutrition. Education about the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)¹is provided for all community nurses, as well as a number of General Practitioners (GPs) and Practice Nurses.

Aim To measure outcomes for patients up to one year post referral to the CNDS.

Method This study involved a retrospective review of CNDS record cards. All patients (n = 82) referred to CNDS requiring a domiciliary visit within the period (April–October 2011) were included. Outcome data from the initial dietetic intervention and up to 4 dietetic reviews in a 12 month follow-up period were included. Types of dietetic interventions used have been described elsewhere.²

Results At the initial dietitian assessment patients’ mean weight and body mass index (BMI) kg m^-² were 55.5kg (±14.7kg) (n = 65) and 21.3 kg m^-² (±4.9 kg m^-²) (n = 62) respectively.

Mean age of patients was 77.3 years (±13.2) (62% female, 38% male). Most common primary diagnoses were respiratory disease (17%), cancer (16%), and dementia (12%). Twelve months post referral, 21% of patients (17/82) were deceased and 33% (27/82) remained under care of CNDS and 46% (38/82) were discharged. Reasons for discharge included patient no longer at nutritional risk (n = 33), or patient declined follow up (n = 5).

Conclusion Half of patients were successfully discharged from the CNDS at 12 months. The results demonstrate that the community dietetic intervention had the greatest impact in the first 3 months, with significant improvements in weight and BMI kg m^-².

Disclosure of interest None Declared.

References

1. Malnutrition Advisory Group (2003) The ‘MUST’ Report. ed. MMM. Elia. Redditch: British Association for Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition

2. Browne, S. Kennelly, S, Flanagan-Rughaboor, G and Glennon-Slattery, C (2012) Investigation of dietetic intervention and outcomes for patients at risk of malnutrition in the community. Proc Nut Soc.71 (OCE2)