Malnutrition in Hospitalized Patients: Identification, Impact, and Intervention
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Malnutrition in Hospitalized Patients: Identification, Impact, and Intervention
Presented by: Cathleen (Cat) Ludwig, RDN, LD
Advanced Practice Clinical Dietitian Educator
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize risk factors and clinical characteristics associated with malnutrition in hospitalized patients, including the effects of acute and chronic disease, inflammation, inadequate intake, and impaired swallowing
- Differentiate nutrition screening from malnutrition assessment and diagnosis, and identify the clinical findings used to support a diagnosis of malnutrition.
- Evaluate the relationship between malnutrition and adverse clinical outcomes, including complications, length of stay, readmissions, functional decline, and mortality.
Cat Ludwig, RD, is a registered dietitian with extensive clinical experience including acute care, dialysis, and long-term care. She is the Advanced Practice Clinical Dietitian Educator at Elkhart General Hospital as well as the Quality Coordinator of the EGH Diabetes Education Program. Her professional background includes Dialysis Administration, nutrition consulting, malnutrition identification and management, enteral nutrition, diabetes care, and the development of evidence-based nutrition protocols and processes. She is actively involved in interdisciplinary initiatives focused on improving nutrition care, standardizing clinical practices across Beacon, and improving patient outcomes in the hospital setting.
Prior to becoming a registered dietitian in 2017, Cat spent more than 12 years in professional food service, providing her with a unique perspective that bridges clinical nutrition and the practical application of food and nutrition care. She is also co-founder of Dysphagia Duo, an interdisciplinary education platform dedicated to improving nutrition and swallowing care for individuals with dysphagia and their caregivers.
