Dietitians

For Holy Family Memorial:

1. What position/role in your in your hospitals or home care agencies is the primary or assisting the MD in assessing and ordering TPN? The inpatient clinical dietitian is the primary person for assessing and ordering TPN ( RD orders TPN only if consulted )

2. What position/role makes recommendations for IV therapies, nutrient replacement - electrolytes, trace elements and vitamins? The RD makes recommendation for the Calories/protein/Fat in the TPN solution, and consults with pharmacy if recommendations are needed for changes ( from standard ) for electrolytes, trace elements, and vitamins.

3. Do your inpatient hospital RDs support multiple hospitals/facilities (i.e., home care, oncology)? Multiple departments (all part of same network, same hospital) - the RD provides services to home care, medical and radiation oncology, and cardiac services.

4. Does your position/role writing the order for parenteral and enteral nutrition have to demonstrate competency to write and order parenteral and enteral nutrition? The RD’s are not required to demonstrated competency but are expected to make recommendations based on evidence based practice by ASPEN and the Nutrition Care Manual by American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

5. How are patients identified as requiring nutrition support? Is there a role/process besides the MD ordering? Patients are identified as requiring nutrition support by the MD, but the RD may make recommendations if appropriate.

Please let me know if you have any questions!