title: [Nutritional screening among seniors in health care institutions: comparison between the institutions Francophones and Anglophones].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Malnutrition among the elderly is a widespread problem in hospitals and nursing homes. However, data on the practice of nutritional screening in these facilities are limited, particularly in Francophone establishments. This study aimed to compare nutritional screening practices among the elderly in Anglophone and Francophone health care facilities in New Brunswick (NB), as well as perceptions and practices of health care professionals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on screening parameters was taken directly from elderly patients'/residents' medical records. Health care professionals' (doctors, nurses, dietitians) perceptions and practices of nutritional screening were collected through questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of five hospitals and 31 nursing homes in NB took part in the study. Of these, 421 patients/residents and 457 health professionals participated. Significant differences in the availability of screening parameters were observed between Francophone and Anglophone patients/residents. Certain screening parameters, such as weight at admission, loss of appetite and meal fractions consumed were less available in Francophone patients'/residents' records. In addition, health care professionals' perceptions regarding nutritional screening varied by occupation and language of the establishment. Several barriers to screening were also identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduced availability of screening parameters in Francophone establishments and the underestimation of malnutrition in elderly patients/residents by doctors and nurses are barriers that can influence nutritional screening in Francophone health care facilities.
authors.affiliation: École des sciences des aliments, de nutrition et d'études familiales, Université de Moncton. lita.villalon@umoncton.ca.
authors.forename: Lita
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Villalon
authors.forename: Manon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laporte
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carrier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis; D008499:Medical Records; D008913:Minority Groups; D009509:New Brunswick; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Nutritional screening; elderly; francophone; healthcare facilities; malnutrition; nutritional risk