About the project
In the project, we develop MyFood - a digital decision support system to prevent and treat disease-related malnutrition. The MyFood system consists of an app for use among patients and a website for use among nurses and health care professionals. In MyFood the patient or a nurse record food intake and nutrition-related symptoms. MyFood calculates automatically the patients' needs for energy, protein, and liquids and compares the intake with the individual patient's requirements. The nurse receives a report including tailored recommendations for nutritional treatment and a draft for an individualized nutritional care plan.
Objectives
The purpose of the project is to develop, validate, and test a digital decision support system to prevent and treat disease-related malnutrition.
Background
Disease-related malnutrition is a challenge in hospitalized patients. Approximately 30% of patients are malnourished or at malnutrition risk. Malnutrition leads to increased morbidity and mortality rates among the patients, a longer length of hospital stay, higher readmission rates, and increased costs for the hospitals. Despite national guidelines and the incorporation of disease-related malnutrition in the national patient safety program, several barriers for good nutritional care and treatment exist. The nurses experience a lack of knowledge, competence, and tools to follow-up this large group of patients.
Financing
This study is funded by the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority and the Throne Holst Foundation at the University of Oslo.
Cooperation
The project is a collaboration project between the National Advisory Unit on Disease-Related Undernutrition at Oslo University Hospital, the Department of Nutrition at the University of Oslo, and the University Center for Information Technology.