03 main contents of hospital nutrition in Vietnam

According to the Circular No. 18/2020/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, hospital nutrition is specified as follows:

1. Nutritional risk factor screening and diet consultancy and indication for outpatients

- Screen patients for nutritional risk factors such as weight loss, loss of appetite, BMI and other risk factors.

- For patients at nutritional risk or risk of undernutrition or nutrition-related diseases, give them dietary advice and indication suitable for their nutritional status and illness, which shall be recorded in the medical examination book or outpatient medical record.

2. Nutritional status examination, diagnosis and assessment, indication for treatment and monitoring of nutritional status for inpatients

- Screen patients for nutritional risk factors, examine, diagnose and indicate nutritional treatment within 36 hours starting from the time of admission, which shall be recorded in the medical record.

- For patients at nutritional risk, assess their nutritional status, diagnose and indicate a diet suitable for their illness, and monitor and reassess their nutritional status throughout the treatment process.

- For patients without nutritional risk, screen for risk factors every 7 days during which they are hospitalized, which shall be recorded in the medical record.

- Indicate a daily diet suitable for the nutritional status and illness of each patient, and record the diet code into the treatment sheet according to regulations in Decision No. 2879/QD-BYT dated August 10, 2006 by the Ministry of Health on guidelines for hospital diets.

- Doctors in charge of patients suffering from severe undernutrition and patients receiving level I care shall consult with doctors of the nutrition department or nutritionists to indicate and formulate a diet suitable for their patients’ nutritional status and illness.

- Support, monitor and supervise patient’s diet compliance throughout the treatment process.

3. Nutritional advice and communication

- Hospitals shall formulate advisory and communication documents concerning nutrition and food safety to raise the awareness of patients and their families in hospital.

- Hospitals shall give advice and raise the awareness about nutrition and food safety for patients and their families.

View more details at the Circular No. 18/2020/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, effective from January 01, 2021.

Thuy Tram

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