Nutrition in Wound Healing
Resource to help raise awareness of the role of nutrition in wound healing
Multidisciplinary Team Approach - Doctor
Medical staff are essential in order to address malnutrition. Doctors may assist in a number of ways:
- Reversible causes should be addressed. This often requires a medical assessment and prescribed treatment (Baxter, 1999).
- Any underlying conditions (or treatments) that may contribute to malnutrition should be reviewed and assessed. Treatment may require adjusting.
- Following a medical assessment of the individual, it could be that appetite stimulants may be required.
- Oral nutritional supplements, or Total Parenteral Nutrition may be required, in which case an appropriate prescriber must carry out an assessment and prescribe accordingly.
- Medical staff are able to provide a more thorough nutritional assessment.
- Medical staff are ultimately responsible for the patient's care and so should be kept informed of any significant changes to their condition or care.
