Malnutrition Management in Inpatients: Clinical Guidelines and Nutritional Interventions for Hypoalbuminemia and Protein Deficiency with Oral, Enteral, and Parenteral Clinical Approaches

Hospital malnutrition affects approximately 30% of general medical inpatients and is independently associated with increased mortality, extended hospitalization, and elevated readmission rates [1,2]. This comprehensive review of contemporary evidence demonstrates that nutritional interventions—encompassing nursing nutrition plans, oral nutritional supplements, and structured feeding assistance—produce clinically significant reductions in adverse outcomes [1,2]. A meta-analysis of over 6,800 patients found that nutritional support reduces mortality by 27% (odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.56–0.97) and readmissions by 24% (relative risk 0.76, 95% CI 0.60–0.96), with a number needed to treat of 36 to prevent one death [2]. Evidence is strongest among patients with established malnutrition rather than those merely at nutritional risk, suggesting targeted screening and intervention strategies may optimize resource allocation and patient outcomes [2].