Utilization of a nutrition service in a neighborhood health center

Abstract

This study has identified several problem areas in the utilization of a nutrition service in a neighborhood health center. Despite clinical protocols which specified that all patients in certain diagnostic categories should have a nutrition referral, only 50% of eligible patients in this study group were seen by the nutritionist. The data suggest that this was primarily because the nurses did not make the referrals. Furthermore, almost 1/2 of the patients saw the nutritionist for 1 visit only. Reasons for lack of nutrition follow up visits are not clear from these data, and need more study. This study yielded a paucity of data pertaining to patient provider interaction and patient compliance with nutrition therapy. Forty one percent of the patients had only 1 nutrition visit and ongoing compliance data were not obtainable. In those patients seen for follow up visits, there was frequently no recorded information regarding compliance with diet.