Vietnam: Who have responsibilities for hospital nutrition?

According to the Circular No. 18/2020/TT-BYT of the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, in addition to those with nutrition specialist titles, the following subjects also have responsibilities, including:

1. In-charge doctors shall:

- Indicate diets suitable for the nutritional status and illness of patients under their care. Monitor and inspect diet adoption and food safety related to their patients.

- Request the nutrition therapy unit of the nutrition department to consult on cases of nutrition-related diseases, undernutrition, comorbidity or severe illness.

- Consult with doctors of the nutrition department or nutritionists to formulate and indicate diets suitable for patients suffering from severe undernutrition and patients receiving level I care.

- Provide all necessary information on patients for the nutrition department or nutrition unit to adopt suitable diets.

2. Head nurses of clinical departments shall:

- Consolidate daily diets indicated by in-charge doctors and transfer data to the nutrition department or nutrition unit for it to prepare meals for patients of their departments.

- Receive, support and supervise diet compliance of patients of their departments.

- Give advice and raise the awareness about nutrition for patients of their departments.

3. Nurses shall:

- Screen patients for nutritional risk factors.

- Support, monitor, give advice on and supervise patient’s diet compliance and record in medical records according to regulations.

4. Responsibilities of patients and their families

- Comply with indications for the patient's diet and food safety in hospital.

- Cooperate with healthcare workers in supporting patient's diet compliance.

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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