Author(s): Jens Rikardt Andersen
Disease related malnutrition is a well-documented problem in almost all countries, but the organization of the nutritional support is extremely varying. In Denmark we have a national quality indicator showing the use of screening for malnutrition within the initial 24-48 hours after admittance, in other countries other systems are used. The question now arises, when should a dietician be attending the patient? or should the nutritional care be part of the general nursing obligations? In Denmark the nurses have taken over most of the nutritional obligations, and we have no generally accepted guidelines for the use of dieticians. They are called upon as needed, but what does that mean?