A systematic review of  423 incidents relating to nutritional care reported to the NPSA by healthcare staff between July 2006 and June 2007 showed that although 90% of incidents resulted in low or no harm to patients, 3 incidents (0.7%) resulted in death, while a further 8 (1.9%) resulted in severe harm.*

*APPENDIX A: Patient safety incidents relating to nutritional care reported to the National Reporting and Learning System, July 2006 – June 2007

The Council of Europe Resolution on food and nutritional care in hospitals makes over 100 recommendations for improvements in this area, from which the ’10 Key Characteristics’ have been distilled. More information about the Council of Europe Resolution can be found at: http://www.hospitalcaterers.org/library/councileuro.html The recommendations in full are:

• All patients are screened on admission to identify the patients who are malnourished or at risk of becoming malnourished. All patients are re-screened weekly.
• All patients have a nutritional care plan which identifies their nutritional care needs and how they are to be met.
• The hospital includes specific guidance on food services and nutritional care in its Clinical Governance arrangements.
• Patients are involved in the planning and monitoring arrangements for food service provision.
• The ward implements Protected Mealtimes to provide an environment conducive to patients enjoying and being able to eat their food.
• All staff have the skills and competencies needed to ensure that patient’s nutritional needs are met. All staff should receive regular training on nutritional care and management.
• Hospital facilities are designed to be flexible and patient centred with the aim of providing and delivering an excellent experience of food service and nutritional care 24 hours a day, every day.
• The hospital has a policy for food service and nutritional care which is patient centred and performance managed in line with home country governance frameworks.
• Food service and nutritional care is delivered to the patient safely.
• The hospital supports a multi-disciplinary approach to nutritional care and values the contribution of all staff groups working in partnership with patients and users.