Significant Weight Loss

Maintaining good nutritional status is key for preserving the health of a nursing home resident. When good nutrition is not maintained, the resident is at risk for developing bed sores, suffering infection, and having other adverse health events. A significant weight loss is a weight loss of: 5% in one month; 7.5% in 3 months; or 10% in 6 months. Having a resident experience significant weight loss is a “change in condition” which would require physician notification and changes in the care plan, assuming that the loss was unintended.

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