Managing postacute malnutrition (undernutrition) risk.

Although a direct correlation between poor nutrition status and increased risk of readmission has yet to be established, it is reasonable to assume that patients who are identified as undernourished while hospitalized would be "at increased risk of adverse outcomes" following discharge. Also, the evidence that links nonadherence to dietary prescriptions after discharge, with increased readmissions in patients with heart failure (HF), is fairly robust. Nutrition screening prior to discharge should be mandated, just as it is at admission.