MDS Alert

Here's what the manual says:

"M1200D Nutrition or Hydration Intervention to Manage Skin Problems

• The determination as to whether or not one should receive nutritional or hydration interventions for skin problems should be based on an individualized nutritional assessment. The interdisciplinary team should review the resident's diet and determine if the resident is taking in sufficient amounts of nutrients and fluids or are already taking supplements that are fortified with the US Recommended Daily Intake (US RDI) of nutrients.
• Additional supplementation above the US RDI has not been proven to provide any further benefits for management of skin problems including pressure ulcers. Vitamin and mineral supplementation should only be employed as an intervention for managing skin problems, including pressure ulcers, when nutritional deficiencies are confirmed or suspected through a thorough nutritional assessment (AMDA PU Guideline, page 6). If it is determined that nutritional supplementation, i.e. adding additional protein, calories, or nutrients is warranted, the facility should document the nutrition or hydration factors that are influencing skin problems and/or wound healing and "tailor nutritional supplementation to the individual's intake, degree of under-nutrition, and relative impact of nutrition as a factor overall; and obtain dietary consultation as needed," (AMDA PU Therapy Companion, page 4).
• It is important to remember that additional supplementation is not automatically required for pressure ulcer management. Any interventions should be specifically tailored to the resident's needs, condition, and prognosis (AMDA PU Therapy Companion, page 11)."