2026 Malnutrition Coding Direction from Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) 

As part of its strategic aim to strengthen data collection and use, the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force (CMTF) is working to improve how we measure malnutrition prevalence, monitor alignment with best practices, and demonstrate the impact of nutrition care. Here’s a look at how CMTF has worked with CIHI to advance these efforts.

June 18, 2026 webinar
Recording for the June 18, 2026 webinar "New CIHI Malnutrition Coding Direction: What It Means for Practice" is available for free at the CNS educational portal here.  Speakers Roseann Nasser, MSc RD CNSC FDC – Co-Chair, Canadian Malnutrition Task Force; University of Saskatchewan and Renata Iannucci, CHIM – Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) explored CIHI’s new malnutrition coding direction, the need for nutrition assessment and documentation in hospitals and the impact of accurate malnutrition coding on patient care and health system reporting.  Frequently Asked Questions summary to follow.

April 1, 2026
Canadian Malnutrition Task Force has been working with Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) to identify the need to strengthen data around malnutrition diagnosis. Effective April 1, 2026 CIHI is mandating the assignment of a code for a documented diagnosis of malnutrition classified within the block E40–E46, regardless of significance. All available documentation, including non-physician documentation, may be used for code assignment. More details are available at Canadian Institute for Health Information Coding direction: Malnutrition. To learn more about the implications of this huge milestone on practice, review CMTF's announcement here.