MEAL MONITORING/OBSERVATIONS

 

I. PURPOSE:

To monitor the process and quality of nutritional food service delivery.

II. PROCEDURE:

A. Observations/rounds are done to gain information concerning veteran home residents dietary preferences, appropriateness and tolerance of diet, appetite, and intake.

B. Document findings in the medical record of residents who are having nutritional problems.

C. Check appearance of food for palatability and temperatures. (Temperatures are to be taken once a week.)

D. Check tray for menu adherence, portion control, accuracy of tray assembly, correct diet prescription, resident identification.

E. If the appropriate diet is not being given to the resident, the Clinical Dietitian will inform the Food Service Supervisor and request that the appropriate diet be sent by the Food Service Department. This information is to be recorded.

F. The Supervising Clinical Dietitian/Clinical Dietitian will review the listed issues from the meal observation finds; compile the justified concerns and send a written memo detailing the concerns to the Food Service Supervisor at the beginning of each month.

G. It will be the Food Service Supervisor's responsibility to see that an action plan is drawn up and issues resolved. The Dietitian will, through an Internal Audit Mechanism, determine if the action plan resolved the problem.


Reviewed: November 1996

NUTRITIONAL/DIETARY - 17-03-004

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