Bart Geurden

Malnutrition and associated factors in nursing home residents: a cross-sectional, multi-centre study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Malnutrition is a common problem in the elderly living in nursing homes. A clear understanding of associated factors is missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of malnutrition and to determine factors independently associated with malnutrition in this setting. METHODS A cross-sectional, multi-centre study was conducted in 23 nursing homes in Flanders, Belgium. The nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Data on possible associated factors were collected using validated scales. RESULTS The study included 1188 elderly residents; 38.7% were at risk for malnutrition and 19.4% were malnourished. The presence of a wound/pressure ulcer, a recent hospitalization (<3 months ago), being involved in a tailored nutritional intervention, and suffering from a lower cognitive state were significantly associated with malnutrition. Receiving additional meals provided by family members was negatively associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSION Malnutrition is a prevalent problem in nursing homes in Flanders. Systematic screening and well-defined tailored interventions should be further developed and evaluated in this population at risk.

How relevant is the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews to nursing care

Barriers obstructing evidence-based nursing have been explored in many countries. Lack of resources and evidence has been noted as one of these barriers. We aimed to identify nursing care-related systematic reviews published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from 1996 until 2009. Using a broad search strategy we identified titles of Cochrane systematic reviews and protocols that focused on nursing care. The abstract of each title was examined and predetermined data were collected and analysed. 1249 titles out of a possible 6244 records were identified as being relevant to nursing care. Most of them focused on newborn and adult populations and related to comparing one intervention with another, and management strategies. The most common nursing specialties represented were internal medicine (34%) and mother and child care (25%). Twenty one percent of reviews published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews are of direct interest to those involved in nursing care however their relevance was not always obvious.

Malnutrition and cognitive impairment among people aged 60 years and above living in regular housing or in special housing in Sweden: a population-based cohort study

Commentary on: FagerströmCPalmqvistRCarlssonJ. Malnutrition and cognitive impairment among people 60 years of age and above living in regular housing and in special housing in Sweden: a population-based cohort study. Int J Nurs Stud 2011;48(7):863–71.

Impact of Evidence and Health Policy on Nursing Practice

The story of evidence-based practice in nursing is long, with many successes, contributors, leaders, scientists, and enthusiasts. Nurse educators have great advantages offered from a wide variety of educational resources for evidence-based practice. These resources offer students the opportunity to connect their emerging competencies with clinical needs for best practices in clinical and microsystem changes.