Abstract

ALVAREZ, J.; LEON, M.; PLANAS, M.  and  GARCIA DE LORENZO, A.. The importance of the coding of hospital malnutrition in the health strategy of the European Union: a Spanish contribution. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2010, vol.25, n.6, pp.873-880. ISSN 1699-5198.

Malnutrition related to illness and inadequate nutrition remains a matter of relevant interest in the member countries of the European Union because of its elevated prevalence and high costs. It is estimated to affect 30 million patients and cost 170 billion euros annually. The 2008-2013 strategy "Together for Health" put forward in the European Parliament urges Member States to develop, together with local and regional authorities, initiatives in the field of education of the population, training, investigation and good clinical practices. SENPE (Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) collaborates in different areas in the development of this strategy which aim to put malnutrition related to illness in the focus of the health system. One of its contributions has been the preparation of the Document of Consensus on the Coding of Malnutrition SENPE-SEDOM (Spanish Society of Medical Documentation). The agreements adopted have helped normalize the process of coding this pathology with the assignment of specific codes for specifically defined terms. This document has allowed the optimization of information regarding the types and degrees of malnutrition and the procedures employed for its prevention or treatment in the hospital centres of the National Health System.

Keywords : Malnutrition; Health strategy; Coding; Consensus SENPE-SEDOM.

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