Medical Staff

Hospitalists fail to document patient obesity

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, August 24, 2010

Hospitalists aren’t adequately documenting patient obesity, according to a recent study, “Addressing obesity in the hospital patient: A needs assessment,” published in the June issue of the Southern Medical Journal.

Researchers at John Hopkins University Division of Hospital Medicine in Baltimore evaluated charts. Although 49% of admitted patients were obese, only 19% of those patient admission notes included such documentation. Only 7% included a plan to address the patient’s obesity.

Why? Hospitalists don’t believe it’s an acute medical issue, according to 67% of the hospitalists surveyed. The physicians also attributed the gap to a lack of time (63%) and skill (37%). Thirty-three percent of hospitalists also perceived that their efforts to address the patient’s obesity would be unsuccessful.

Obesity in America is currently in the healthcare spotlight, as evidenced by a national awareness effort spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama.

“Because an inpatient admission has been characterized as a teachable moment when patients are willing to reflect on behavior change, this may be an ideal time to counsel and educate obese patients,” states the study.

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