Increasing the completing rate of the Malnutrition Screening Tool at GH-Ballarat.

Abstract

Background/aim: Malnutrition is a common yet frequently under-recognised issue that is associated with adverse clinical outcomes and increased financial strain on the healthcare service. At Grampians Health Ballarat (GH-B), regular audits have consistently revealed low completion rates of the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) across adult inpatient wards, despite national standards mandating nutritional screening for all patients on admission. This project aims to improve nursing compliance with MST completion, supporting alignment with the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. Population/setting: Nurses on Acute/ Subacute wards at GH-B. Methods: Phase 1 (completed): Nurses on acute and subacute wards were surveyed to understand perceived barriers to completing the MST and improvement suggestions. Phase 2 (completed): Analysis of survey results to identify key themes regarding staff understanding, barriers, and suggestions for improvement Phase 3 (In-progress): Data from Phase 2 will inform the development of an ‘implementation and evaluation plan’ to address identified barriers. Implementation plan to be rolled out across acute and sub-acute wards. Phase 4 (Not started): Conduct evaluation of MST completion rates in 12 months from date of implementation Results/findings: Thirty-nine survey responses were collected. Only 54% of nurses reported completing the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) for all patients, consistent with prior audit results (40–50%). Reported barriers included time constraints (44%), perceived low priority (20%), and patient unsuitability (24%). Of note, Early-career nurses (0–5 years' experience) expressed low confidence in completing the MST. Four key themes emerged to improve completion rates: - Targeted education - Clear role expectations - Regular audits - Improved visibility These themes align with literature highlighting education, expectations and documentation as focus areas. Conclusion: Study not yet completed. Translational impact/implications for future practice: It is well known that consistent completion of the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) on admission enables early identification of patients at risk of malnutrition and timely referral to dietetic services. This ultimately improves patient outcomes and helps align with the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards. Persistent low completion rates of MST on admission at GH-B wards highlight the need for targeted, sustainable solutions. Tailoring strategies to the specific barriers faced by nurses will help promote sustained improvements.