Status of nutrition care process implementation in hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Areej A Alkhaldy; Manal N Allahyani; Noura A Alghamdi; Ahad K Jeddawi; Razan M Malibary; Abdulaziz M Al-Othman

doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.02.007

Status of nutrition care process implementation in hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2020 Apr:36:53-59. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.02.007. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

Authors

Areej A Alkhaldy¹, Manal N Allahyani², Noura A Alghamdi², Ahad K Jeddawi³, Razan M Malibary⁴, Abdulaziz M Al-Othman⁵

Affiliations

¹ Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: aalkhaldy@kau.edu.sa.
² Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
³ Clinical Nutrition Department at Nutrition Administration, Health Affairs in Jeddah, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Surgery, Al Thagher Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Saudi Society for Clinical Nutrition, Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

PMID: 32220369
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2020.02.007

Abstract

Background and aims: The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and Nutrition Care Process Terminology (NCPT) are currently implemented by dietetics practitioners worldwide, with various advantages, including ensuring consistency and clarity of dietetics-related healthcare records and the possibility to collect and analyse patient outcomes; however, how Saudi dietitians experience the implementation process is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Saudi dietitians of NCP implementation in hospitals in Jeddah.

Methods: In this quantitative, cross-sectional study, 56 dietitians were recruited from six principal hospitals in Jeddah. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the characteristics of the dietitians and hospital-related clinical nutrition care performance, the perception and opinions of dietitians towards the NCP, and the status of NCP implementation.

Results: Almost all dietitians (98%) were aware of the NCP; however, only 27% had received NCP training. Most dietitians (73%) reported that their department currently follows the NCP, while only 26% reported using the standardized NCP, including International Classification of Functioning, Disability & Health - Dietetics (ICF-D)-WHO and International Dietetic & Nutrition Terminology (IDNT) - USA, with 63% following the hospital's own NCP. Reported reasons for hospitals not following the NCP included insufficient dietitians, lack of experience, or conflict with the hospital's nutrition care system. A majority of dietitians reported no perceived barriers to applying the NCP; however, 23% reported NCP documentation as a challenge.

Conclusions: The majority of dietitians are aware of the NCP and feel confident to practice; however, the NCP model is not currently implemented in Jeddah hospitals as standard. On-going education, a training program, and an implementation plan should be prioritised.

Keywords: Dietetic; Implementation; Nutrition assessment.

MeSH terms

Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Delivery of Health Care
Dietetics
Female
Health Plan Implementation / statistics & numerical data
Hospitals*
Humans
Male
Nutrition Assessment
Nutrition Therapy*
Nutritional Physiological Phenomena*
Nutritionists / education
Nutritionists / psychology
Saudi Arabia
Surveys and Questionnaires