The aim of the study was to make a screening of risk for malnutrition among persons in hospitals and among those living in special accommondation (long-term care).

Method: Nurse student collected the data during their clinical education at hospitals and in the special accommodations in 2010. Staff and clinical teachers participated also with the data collection. By participating in the study the students got training in how to provide information to the staff and patients/residents, collect data, and compile results ant to give feed-back about the findings to the department. The screening of risk for malnutrition was done using Minimal Eating Observation and Nutrition (MEONF) and Active Daily Life (ADL). Each student asked three patients/residents to participate, in the study.

Results: A total of 266 patients/residents who received ADL-status assessed. 45% of respondents were next independent/dependent on the help of more than 2 ADL-functions, 26% were partially dependent on help in 3-4 ADL-functions and 25% were almost completely dependent on help in 5-6 ADL-functions. The results (Table 2) show that the respondents has no/low risk of malnutrition, they were almost completely independent/dependent in aid. In the case of those respondents with a high risk for portable so it was no more (39%) witch was almost entirely dependent on aid. The majority of students believe that assessment-manual were easy to understand, that the proposed measurement were easy and relevant regardless of which group the patients/residents belonged.

Conclusion: The patients/residents who had high risk for malnutrition had even greater need of help. One group that must not be overlooked is the patients/residents who are obese but still high risk of malnutrition. Assessment instruments seem to be useful and easy to use. For the students perceived it as positive to participate in actual research projects.