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Malnutrition and dehydration levels examined

LTC Liability Monitor, November 30, 2004

Dehydration and malnutrition killed at least 13,890 nursing home residents in the three year period between 1999 and 2002, the Detroit News found in a recent investigation of nursing home care. The News reported that nearly one in four nursing home patients who visit hospitals-for in- and outpatient treatment-are found to be malnourished or dehydrated, and the malnutrition rate in nursing homes may be as high as 35 percent or more.

Four out of five nursing home residents in the United States live in an understaffed home, leading to poor nutritional and hydrational care, according to the News.

Nursing home leaders who responded to the report claimed that dehydration and malnutrition are often unavoidable results of other illnesses.

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