Health Bull (Edinb). 1999 Nov; 57(6): 374-83.

Audit of the nutritional content of patient meals in Ayrshire and Arran.

Fettes SB, Murray M.

Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock.

Recent studies have indicated an unacceptably high prevalence of malnutrition in hospital patients and inadequacies in the diets offered to patients. In 1995 the Health of the Nation Nutrition Guidelines for Hospital Catering were produced with the aim of raising standards in hospital catering. An audit was conducted to compare the nutritional adequacy of patient meals provided by three NHS Trusts within Ayrshire, with the Health of the Nation Guidelines. Across the three Trusts approximately 45% of days failed to provide the recommended minimum amount of energy. NSP, folate and vitamin C provision was adequate in all three Trusts. However there were some inadequacies in the provision of calcium, iron and zinc. In two of the Trusts approximately, half, and in the other Trust one third, of the main meals failed to provide the recommended 300 kcals. In all three Trusts approximately one third of vegetarian meals failed to provide the recommended amount of protein. It has been recommended that the current menus in the three Trusts are altered to ensure that the nutritional standards in the Guidelines are met. Additionally a menu coding system, which indicates the suitability of dishes for different diets, should be used. The three Trusts have agreed to collaborate to produce a core set of menus that meet the recommendations. These recommendations will be implemented along with those from the National Food and Health Best Practice Guide.