Enhancing Identification and Management of Hospitalized Patients Who Are Malnourished: A Pilot Evaluation of Electronic Quality Improvement Measures.

Malnutrition in hospitalized patients has long been recognized as a contributor to poor patient outcomes; malnutrition often leads to higher costs of care. Thus, it is important to improve the identification of patients who are at risk for malnutrition or already malnourished and to initiate treatment to optimize outcomes. The Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative (MQii) is based on a dual-pronged approach consisting of a set of four electronic clinical quality measures and a Quality Improvement Toolkit that support delivery of high-quality malnutrition care by clinicians including nurses, registered dietitian nutritionists, and physicians.

Energy density, nutrient adequacy, and cost per serving can provide insight into food choices in the lower Mississippi Delta.

Objective: To compare differences across food groups for food cost, energy, and nutrient profiles of 100 items from a cross-sectional survey of 225 stores in 18 counties across the Lower Mississippi Delta of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Methods: Energy, nutrient, and cost profiles for food items were calculated by using Naturally Nutrient Rich methodology and converting price per 100 g edible portion to price per serving. Foods were grouped into 6 food groups.

Food shopping perceptions, behaviors, and ability to purchase healthful food items in the lower Mississippi delta.

Objective: To examine the agreement between perceptions, behaviors, and ability to purchase healthful food in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD).

Design: A regional food store survey of healthful food options in supermarkets, small/medium stores, and convenience stores. Focus group discussions were conducted on shopping perceptions and behaviors.