Hospital Malnutrition

Hospital malnutrition is the decline in nutritional status that can occur in patients during a hospital stay, due to the underlying illness, lack of appetite, prolonged fasting, or insufficient nutrient intake. It is more common than people think and can affect recovery.

Possible consequences: loss of weight and muscle mass, weakness, slower wound healing, and greater vulnerability to complications.

When is it important to address it? When a patient eats little for several days, loses weight noticeably, or has an illness that increases their nutritional needs.

Which specialist is involved? The nutritionist, especially the clinical nutritionist, evaluates the nutritional status and designs an eating plan suited to each situation. Detecting this problem in time and relying on these professionals contributes significantly to a better recovery.