The role of dining companions in supporting nursing care.
Malnutrition in hospitals is an ongoing international issue. Research indicates that there are many barriers to nutritional care, including lack of nursing time, knowledge and understanding. The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust runs an annual audit on standards of nutritional screening and subsequent care. To fulfil the organisation's objective of focusing on patient safety and quality of care, the hospital has developed a multidisciplinary approach to malnutrition that includes using volunteers as dining companions.
Brown
Helen
H
NHS Westminster, London. helen.brown@westminster-pct.nhs.uk
Jones
Lucy
L
D005521:Food Service, Hospital; D006758:Hospital Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom