Acute care hospitals
Clinical RDN coverage, relief staffing, menus, cost analysis and survey readiness for hospitals.
Hospitals call us for two reasons: clinical coverage when a staff dietitian is out or a position is open, and an outside look at the food and nutrition department before a survey. Our RDNs step into an acute care unit with the clinical background to carry a caseload from the first day, including nutrition support, and our management RDNs review the department's operations, costs and compliance.
What we handle for acute care
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Registered dietitian coverage
Our food service and nutrition experts can be placed in your community for long-term or short-term coverage. Many of our RDNs hold specialized clinical expertise and board certifications in gerontological nutrition (CSG), renal nutrition (CSR) or nutrition support (CNSC), and all are trained in the federal and state regulations that apply to your type of facility.
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Menu services
Specialized cycle menus, with custom menus available. Menus are delivered seasonally so they use the freshest ingredients, on paper or through our online MenuCentral™ platform.
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Cost analysis
Concerned about your dietary budget? Our RDNs review the whole dietary system, from accounting and purchasing practices to food production, supplement and snack use and labor efficiency, and show you where the money goes.
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Risk management and QAPI
Experienced RDNs perform mock surveys, help implement QAPI plans and review the critical aspects of your nutritional care and dietary operations so you go into survey with the risks already handled.
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Staff training and certification
Our food and nutrition experts train your staff efficiently and thoroughly, with online education and ServSafe training and certification, so your department runs well between visits.
Menus and manuals for acute care
Prices and details are on the menus and manuals and forms pages, where you can also place an order.
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Disaster Toolkit
Price: $50.00 each
The essentials for a disaster-ready dietary program: policies and procedures, a menu with analysis and recipes, and an inventory list.
Contents can be customized for an additional fee.
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Clinical Notebook
Price: $25.00 each
Tracking tools for new individuals, monthly and weekly weights, annuals, pressure areas, tube feeders and dialysis individuals, plus a communication log between the dietary manager and the registered dietitian.
Includes a hydration protocol, a weight-loss protocol and a tracking system for RDN recommendations to nursing and dietary, so the dietitian and the dietary manager share one consistent record for every resident.
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Sanitation Manual
Price: $50.00 each
Step-by-step instructions for properly cleaning and sanitizing the equipment found in a facility kitchen.
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Successful Survey Toolkit (full set)
Price: $150.00 per set
Laminated training guides that prepare kitchen staff for survey, covering 20 topics from cool-down procedures to handwashing, plus a quick reference guide, quiz cards and a scoop-sizes chart. Available in English or Spanish.
Topics include calibrating thermometers, cleaning and sanitizing equipment (ice machine, meat slicer, thermometers), the cool-down process, disaster preparedness, dish machine sanitation, fire suppression, talking with surveyors, food temperatures, labeling, dating and storage, two- and three-compartment dishwashing, menu substitutions, thawing, handwashing and glove use, puree instructions and sanitizer-bucket testing.
Regulations we work to
Hospitals are surveyed by the California Department of Public Health and their accrediting organization against the CMS Conditions of Participation for food and dietetic services, and the kitchen is held to the California Retail Food Code. Our RDNs and manuals work to those standards.
Talk to us about your acute care program. Tell us about the facility and what you need, and a staff specialist will be in touch.