What are requirements for organizational structure for nutrition in hospitals in Vietnam?

What are requirements for organizational structure for nutrition in hospitals in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 6 of the Circular 18/2020/TT-BYT stipulating requirements for organizational structure for nutrition in hospitals in Vietnam as follows:

1. Organization of nutrition operations:

Based on the organizational and operational regulations of each hospital, the nutrition department or nutrition unit, which is a part of the clinical block, shall be established in accordance with the following regulations:

a) Hospitals with at least 100 beds must establish a nutrition department. Every 100 beds must have at least 01 nutrition specialist.

b) Hospitals with less than 100 beds must have a nutrition unit or full-time nutritionist if unable to establish a nutrition department.

2. The nutrition department shall comprise:

a) A nutrition advisory unit

b) A nutrition therapy unit

c) A meal processing and provision unit

If there is no meal processing and provision unit, the hospital must sign a contract on meal processing in the hospital with an outside organization or individual, which shall be placed under the professional and food safety supervision of the nutrition department.

What are regulations on nutrition specialists in hospitals in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 7 of the Circular 18/2020/TT-BYT stipulating nutrition specialists in hospitals in Vietnam as follows:

1. Head of the nutrition department must be a full-time tenured employee and meet the following requirements:

a) Is a general medicine doctor or general practitioner holding a certificate of at least 6 months of training in clinical nutrition.

b) Is a nutritionist holding a bachelor’s degree or higher if no one is qualified for the requirements mentioned in Point a herein.

2. Persons in charge of nutrition therapy must be a general medicine doctor or general practitioner holding a clinical nutrition training certificate or nutritionist.

What are regulations on facilities for nutrition operations in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 8 of the Circular 18/2020/TT-BYT stipulating facilities for nutrition operations in Vietnam as follows:

1. Hospitals must provide facilities for nutrition operations as follows:

a) Nutrition department or nutrition unit

b) Meal processing area and eating room must be located away from the morgue, waste retention area, laundry area and isolation area for infectious diseases and fulfill regulatory requirements concerning food safety.

2. Milk preparation areas of pediatrics and neonatology departments must have instructions on milk preparation; hot and cold water; clean water, sinks and hand wash liquid.

What are duties of nutrition department or nutrition unit in hospitals in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 9 of the Circular 18/2020/TT-BYT stipulating duties of nutrition department or nutrition unit in hospitals in Vietnam as follows:

1. Give advice on hospital nutrition to hospital leaders.

2. Formulate and implement technical procedures for clinical nutrition in hospital.

3. Examine, give advice and provide nutrition therapy suitable for the nutritional status and illness of patients.

4. Develop diets suitable for the nutritional status and illness of inpatients.

5. Cooperate with clinical departments in indicating diets suitable for patients suffering from severe undernutrition and patients receiving level I care.

6. Manage food, process and provide diet meals for patients on their beds. Inspect and supervise food safety in hospital.

7. Inspect and supervise compliance with regulations on nutrition operations in clinical departments and hospital.

8. Take charge of formulating advisory and communication documents concerning nutrition and food safety to raise the awareness of patients, their families and other people in the hospital.

9. Provide training and direct activities concerning nutrition and food safety.

10. Conduct scientific research and apply technological and scientific advancements pertaining to nutrition and food safety in treatment, preventive healthcare and health improvement.

Best regards!