PD124 - IMPLEMENTATION OF A MALNUTRITION SCREENING PROCESS AND NUTRITION CARE PATHWAYS AT THE HERMANN-JOSEF-KRANKENHAUS ERKELENZ: A MIXED-METHODS EVALUATION.

PD124

IMPLEMENTATION OF A MALNUTRITION SCREENING PROCESS AND NUTRITION CARE PATHWAYS AT THE HERMANN-JOSEF-KRANKENHAUS ERKELENZ: A MIXED-METHODS EVALUATION.

V. Haupt^1,*, J. Genz², E. Medawar¹, S. Breker²

¹Physicians Association for Nutrition Deutschland e.V. , Hösbach, ²Hermann-Josef-Krankenhaus Erkelenz, Erkelenz, Germany

Rationale: This analysis aimed to evaluate the implementation of a structured malnutrition screening and nutrition care pathway in selected wards of the Hermann-Josef-Krankenhaus (HJK). Before mandatory nationwide malnutrition screening in hospitals was introduced in Germany in March 2026, the HJK had already decided in 2025 to voluntarily implement such an approach in advance.

Methods: In September 2025, a multidisciplinary implementation strategy was introduced including a standard operating procedure for malnutrition management, a short screening guideline and electronic documentation of the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002)[1]. In nursing care, the new EPA-AC[2] nursing process integrates all the necessary details for generating the NRS-2002 score and was introduced across all wards and departments of the HJK.

Results: Full implementation of screening and malnutrition documentation was achieved only in the Clinic for Internal Medicine, where NRS screening was completed in 257 patients out of which 89 patients were at nutritional risk (35% NRS-positive). Positive screenings resulted in dietetic consultation, nutrition assessment and individualized nutrition therapy recommendations.

Conclusion: The implementation of a structured screening and multidisciplinary nutrition care pathway was feasible and identified a high proportion of patients at nutritional risk at the clinic for internal medicine at HJK. However, time constraints, training needs, acceptance at different levels and workflow integration challenges remain. Standardized processes and clear responsibilities are needed to support effective implementation in all wards of the hospital. 

References: [1] ^{Schütz et al. (2005). Nutritional Screening According to the ESPEN Guidelines 2002. Aktuelle Ernährungsmedizin. 30(2):99–103}

[2] ^{Handbuch epaAC 2.4.00. Wiesbaden: ePA-CC GmbH.}

Disclosure of Interest: None declared