“Perioperative malnutrition has proven to be challenging to define, diagnose, and treat. Despite these challenges, it is well known that sub-optimal nutritional status is a strong independent predictor of poor postoperative outcomes.”

“Malnourished surgical patients have significantly higher postoperative mortality, morbidity, length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, and increased hospital costs.It is estimated that 24%–65% of patients undergoing surgery are at nutrition risk. Additionally, recent prospective observational data indicate that undernourished patients or patients at risk of malnutrition are twice as likely to be readmitted within 30 days after elective colorectal surgery.”

Wischmeyer, Paul E. MD, EDIC^*;et al American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Perioperative Quality Initiative Joint Consensus Statement on Nutrition Screening and Therapy Within a Surgical Enhanced Recovery Pathway. Anesthesia & Analgesia 126(6):p 1883-1895, June 2018. Free Full Text