Patient Care

Nutrition Assessment – the RDN solicits input as the dietetic technician: 

Completes and documents nutrition screening within 24 hours of inpatient admission according to facility/state/accreditation requirements.  Using medical record and interview with patient/family collects food and nutrition intake information (e.g., current and previous diets, nutrition support, meal and snack patterns, medical food/nutritional supplements, typical foods and beverages, cultural and religious preferences, and food allergies and intolerances), and reviews for factors that affect health conditions and nutritional risk.  Obtains medical, anthropometric, biochemical, and medical test data and compares to standards provided by the RDN.  Documents nutrition-related data, patient/family interactions in electronic medical record, and food and nutrition documentation system according to procedure.  Communicates results of nutrition screening, diet order, and data collection for nutrition assessment to RDN; and meal service-related data of immediate concern to diet office staff.  Communicates with nursing or other staff as needed to obtain or clarify information to inform nutrition assessment to report to RDN.

 

Nutrition Intervention/Plan of Care 

Communicates with RDN about discussions with patient/family and observed changes in patient’s status that may influence the nutrition intervention/plan of care.  Contributes to and implements nutrition intervention/plan of care developed by the RDN.  Reviews plan of care with resident/family, nursing staff, addressing, or referring any concerns to the RDN as need.  Provides nutrition education per plan of care to help patient voluntarily manage or modify food choices and eating behavior to maintain or improve health.  Plans between-meal nourishments according to patient’s diet and food preferences. 

 

 

Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation – the RDN solicits input as the dietetic technician. 

Utilizes techniques that consider the varied needs of age-specific populations as well as cultural, religious, and ethnic concerns.  Evaluates food and intake from all sources.  Compares current data findings with previous status, intervention goals, and/or reference standards for evaluation of outcomes.  Documents progress toward nutrition goals, factors/barriers impacting progress, change in patient’s/family’s level of understand and food-related behaviors, and relevant biochemical, anthropometric, meal intake data.  Communicates with RDN regarding monitoring and evaluation activities, and with the RDN, modifies the plan of care as needed.

 

Communications

Works cooperatively with patient food service staff to ensure conformance with diet order, patient preferences, and other applicable components of the nutrition prescription.  Participates in supervised practice experiences for nutrition and dietetics students/interns, other disciplines when requested, and helps orient new patient food service employees. 

 

Meals Services 

Conducts patient round to assess adequacy of nutrition intake and patient satisfaction with meals and meal service.  Monitors and verifies changes in diet orders. 

 

Infant Formula Preparation 

Verify faxed/printed order matches order in EPIC. Confirm any order changes with nursing and RDN prior to preparation. Prepare and distribute formulas through proper food safety and infection prevention handling procedures.

 

Compliance

Demonstrates accountability for the proper use of patients’ protected health information by following regulatory requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1966.  Assists in achieving compliance with the Joint Commission, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), or other accrediting agency standards to continuously improve the safety and quality of care to the public and to the organization’s performance improvement. 

 

Business Functions 

Maintains productivity standards and practices effective time management and prioritizing of tasks.  Uses department resources prudently. 

Performance Improvement 

Participates in department’s and/or unit’s quality assurance and performance improvement activities.  Contributes to collecting specific information to track process, outcome, and structure measures using quantifiable indicators to identify actual results of a program, service, or activity.  Provides in-services for department staff assigned.