[Prevention of malnutrition in institutional long-term care with the DNQP "nutrition management" expert standard].

Malnutrition is a big challenge in long-term care. There are a variety of reasons for developing malnutrition; they can be disease-related as well as psychosocial. However, the consequences can be seriously health threatening. Therefore, effective prevention is necessary and is an important part of nursing.The following article deals with the prevention of malnutrition as a nursing task, particularly in institutional long-term care. This is discussed with the evidence-based expert standard on quality criteria for securing oral nutritional intake by the German Network for Quality Development in Nursing (DNQP). Systematic screening is important and after finding signs of insufficient intake, a detailed search for reasons must follow. This should be initiated by nurses and often ends in a multiprofessional task. Nurses have to detect dysphagia and a resident's ability to chew. People with dementia are at increased risk of malnutrition due to the disease-related declining ability to eat enough. If oral food intake can no longer be secured, artificial nutrition can be recommended based on a clear indication for a limited period of time. In the terminal phase, nutrition can be agonizing. Therefore, the decision about artificial nutrition should be carefully discussed in a case conference.A first health-economic evaluation of the standard in 11 nursing homes shows a positive impact on the residents' health. Securing oral nutrition intake is an important part of person-centered care.