The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)

Healthcare professionals use the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool to identify adults at risk of malnutrition. This five-step guide uses weight and height to determine care plans.

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MUST

Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)

The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, or MUST, is a five-step flowchart that helps healthcare staff identify adults at risk of malnutrition. By assessing BMI, weight loss, and acute illness, it guides appropriate nutritional care plans across hospitals and community settings.

Disease

Assessment

Clinical Care

Preventive Care

Source

(Elia, 2003)

Author Name

Malnutrition Advisory Group (MAG), a Standing Committee of the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) (2003)

Primary paper

Original validation paper

Page Editor

Thijs Sondag

Download PDF

View Original Source

What is Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)

The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) is a widely used and reliable way to check adults for nutritional risks in hospitals and care homes. It uses a simple five-step flow that looks closely at current weight status and recent physical changes. This helps clinicians spot potential issues early before they get much worse. The tool scores three main areas including Body Mass Index (BMI), unintentional weight loss over three to six months, and the effect of acute illness. Scores from these sections are added up to calculate an overall risk level of low, medium, or high. Healthcare staff can use this valid method in hospitals or community settings to guide specific care plans. It links results directly to local policy, so you know exactly how to treat or monitor the patient. It is quick to use and ensures that nutritional support goes to those who really need it most.

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MUST Scoring

The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) can be scored using a three step cumulative calculation. 1. BMI Score: Assign 0, 1, or 2 points based on Body Mass Index ranges. 2. Weight Loss Score: Unplanned weight loss over three to six months earns 0, 1, or 2 points. 3. Acute Disease Effect: Add 2 points if the patient is acutely ill and hasn't eaten for five days. Finally, sum these for a total risk score where 0 is low risk, 1 is medium risk, and 2 or more signals high risk needing a management plan.

View scoring form

Advantages

Treatment planning

Develops personalised strategies based on assessment data.

Wide applicability

Serves diverse clinical needs effectively.

Minutes

Questions

Related Instruments

Digital counterpart

Digital biomarkers that measure the same thing with sensors rather than a questionnaire.

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Digitise malnutrition screening with automated MUST assessments. Instantly score and track patient risk over time.

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