This year, HHS is an ambassador for ASPEN's Malnutrition Awareness Week, an annual campaign led by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). The campaign's goal is to educate healthcare professionals and registered dietitians on diagnosing and treating malnutrition.
As an ambassador, HHS is dedicated to identifying and treating malnutrition using comprehensive protocols. This is the second year in a row that HHS has been a dedicated ambassador for the week.
A First-of-its-Kind Team Approach
The BSMH/HHS malnutrition team is the first of its kind within the company, focused solely on this critical area. This team of highly trained Registered Dietitians (RDs), plays a vital role in patient-centered care.
"I am deeply honored to collaborate with such passionate and dedicated dietitians who are setting the gold standard in malnutrition care".
"Together, we work tirelessly to deliver meaningful impact and value to the patients, clients, and dietitians we serve every day".
- Megan Rader, MHA, RDN, LD, and Director of Malnutrition & Informatics
Improving Patient Outcomes through Collaboration
HHS malnutrition initiative is a comprehensive program designed to improve patient outcomes. The process involves screening every hospitalized patient for malnutrition, assessing their risk, and working with physicians to secure a proper malnutrition diagnosis. This initiative enhances hospital scores and reduces readmission rates. It also shortens lengths of stay by ensuring immediate identification and treatment of malnutrition.
"Malnutrition is not just a dietitian’s issue; it’s a healthcare issue that requires a unified, interdisciplinary response".
- Miranda D’amico, Registered Dietitian
"Recognizing it as a shared responsibility is the first step toward better outcomes".
- Alyssa Bransley RDN, LD, Lead Malnutrition RD
Danielle M. Dwyer, a Regional Malnutrition Dietitian, shared a memorable moment when she met with a group of nurses to provide insight on how to spot patients at risk for malnutrition. A nurse later told her a story of a family member who struggled with malnutrition and, after Dwyer's presentation, "realized she could make an impact on a subject so close to home". Dwyer believes that discussing malnutrition with various specialties provides new perspectives.
"Each colleague is a piece to the puzzle, and we all have something valuable to bring to the table to show up for our patients in the ways they need us".
- Danielle M. Dwyer, Regional Malnutrition Dietitian
Advancing Our Mission
We look forward to continuing our work as an ambassador for Malnutrition Awareness Week, showcasing the expertise of our team, and advancing our mission to provide the highest level of patient-centered care.
"I’m confident that our collective efforts will lead to meaningful improvements for all stakeholders, including patients, RDNs, and the organizations involved".
- Garrett Davidson, Registered Dietitian and Malnutrition Informatics Specialist