Nutritional care of the patient: nurses' knowledge and attitudes in an acute care setting

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Abstract
• Concern is growing about the occurrence of malnutrition in hospitals throughout the developed world. Reduced involvement of nurses in patients' nutritional care may be one of the contributing factors. • This study explored nurses' attitudes and knowledge about nutrition and food service in hospital. • Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with seven nurses from the internal medical service of a large Australian acute care hospital. • Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that many nurses lacked the in‐depth knowledge needed to give proper nutritional care to their patients. • Although nurses considered nutritional care to be important many had difficulty in raising its priority above other nursing activities, as a result of time constraints and multitasking issues. • Several problems relating to food service arrangements were also highlighted. • The findings suggest a need to raise nurses' awareness of the importance of nutrition in patient outcome. • This study provides information which will guide in‐service nurse education programs about nutrition, and suggests strategies for practice and organizational change.