MUST, nutrition and hydration training for nurses and carers

A 3 hour session, delivered by a State Registered Dietitian, to provide nursing staff and carers with knowledge and skills in nutrition and identifying and treating malnutrition (using MUST - Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool - and Food First).

Following the training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles of good nutrition
• Recognise the causes of malnutrition amongst their clients
• Confidently screen and assess clients to manage their care using MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool)
• Interpret MUST scores and understand next steps depending on the score
• Confidently include nutritional screening and nutritional needs in care planning
• Be aware of and know how to use alternative measures for height/BMI
• Adopt a ‘Food first’ approach to treat identified malnutrition on a day to day basis
• Address nutritional needs/treat malnutrition using a whole setting approach
• Understand why facilities and services providing nutrition and hydration should be flexible and centred on the needs of the people using them, 24 hours a day, every day
• Know when oral nutritional supplements are indicated and how to use them appropriately
• Understand when specialist advice and support may be needed regarding swallowing difficulties, nutritional assessment and support, weight loss support, modified consistency diet or diabetes
• Understand the importance of ongoing assessment and monitoring associated actions on a regular basis according to internal policy