Núm. 23, enero-junio (2013)

The assessment of the nutritional status of patients in private hospitals is intended to identify those who are at risk or suffering from nutritional deficiency, in order to implement feeding strategies such as: adjusting to the patient's preference , dividing their diet in five courses, using nutritional supplements, etc. In recent years we have conducted more than 140 studies in hospital malnutrition which have shown that the worldwide prevalence of this disease is higher than expected. The negative results associated with malnutrition are: a decreased immune function, reduced quality of life, longer hospital stay and delayed recovery. It is therefore relevant in hospital management to emphasize the importance of food service in hospitals for a swift patient recovery.