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Abstract Background To improve nutritional assessment and care pathways in the acute care setting, it is important to understand the indicators that may predict nutritional risk. Informed by a review of systematic reviews, this project engaged stakeholders to prioritise and reach consensus on a list of evidence based and clinically contextualised indicators for identifying malnutrition risk in the acute care setting. Methods A modified Delphi approach was employed which consisted of four rounds of consultation with 54 stakeholders and 10 experts to reach consensus and refine a list of 57 risk indicators identified from a review of systematic reviews. Weighted mean and variance scores for each indicator were evaluated. Consistency was tested with intra class correlation coefficient. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the reliability of the indicators. The final list of indicators was subject to Cronbach’s alpha and exploratory principal component analysis. Results Fifteen indicators were considered to be the most important in identifying nutritional risk. These included difficulty self-feeding, polypharmacy, surgery and impaired gastro-intestinal function. There was 82% agreement for the final 15 indicators that they collectively would predict malnutrition risk in hospital inpatients. Conclusion The 15 indicators identified are supported by evidence and are clinically informed. This represents an opportunity for translation into a novel and automated systems level approach for identifying malnutrition risk in the acute care setting.

Aims: To explore the overall benefits and challenges for the mentee, the mentor, and the hospital (stakeholders) in hospital‐sponsored mentoring programs. Background: Formal mentoring programs are widely used to assist nurses to adapt to clinical practice, facilitate their career development, and improve workforce retention. However, the overall benefits and challenges for stakeholders involved in formal mentoring programs remain largely unknown due to a lack of systematic reviews to synthesize relevant studies in this important area. Design: A systematic integrated review. Data sources: A systematic search of six databases including CINAHL, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, Science Direct, and ProQuest was undertaken. Review methods: Studies that met the inclusion criteria were assessed for methodological quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Findings from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‐methods studies were extracted and synthesized thematically using a convergent synthesis method. Results: Twenty‐two original studies were included in the review. Findings are presented under five themes: the benefits for mentees, the benefits for mentors, the benefits for the hospital, challenges perceived by mentees and mentors, and mismatched mentor–mentee pairs. Conclusion: Mentoring programs that build on reciprocal relationships among mentees and mentors generate substantial benefits for all if mentees are able to navigate the challenges of the complex and dynamic nature of the clinical practice environment. Organizational support is important in overcoming these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To improve nutritional assessment and care pathways in the acute care setting, it is important to understand the indicators that may predict nutritional risk. Informed by a review of systematic reviews, this project engaged stakeholders to prioritise and reach consensus on a list of evidence based and clinically contextualised indicators for identifying malnutrition risk in the acute care setting.Methods: A modified Delphi approach was employed which consisted of four rounds of consultation with 54 stakeholders and 10 experts to reach consensus and refine a list of 57 risk indicators identified from a review of systematic reviews. Weighted mean and variance scores for each indicator were evaluated. Consistency was tested with intra class correlation coefficient. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the reliability of the indicators. The final list of indicators was subject to Cronbach's alpha and exploratory principal component analysis.Results: Fifteen indicators were considered to be the most important in identifying nutritional risk. These included difficulty self-feeding, polypharmacy, surgery and impaired gastro-intestinal function. There was 82% agreement for the final 15 indicators that they collectively would predict malnutrition risk in hospital inpatients.Conclusion: The 15 indicators identified are supported by evidence and are clinically informed. This represents an opportunity for translation into a novel and automated systems level approach for identifying malnutrition risk in the acute care setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]