Hospital dietetics in transition

Nutritional care--what is it, who gets it, who gives it, and how? The registered dietitian is identified as the only health professional whose primary concern is the application of food and nutritional science to the health care of people. Traditionally, the major part of health care has been in the medical sphere--sought in times of acute illness or injury. Hospital-based services provide increasingly sophisticated life support systems in specialized intensive care units. Humane, as well as financial, considerations mandate a change in emphasis to the provision of preventive care as well as restorative measures. Care that provides nutritional status screening, dietary assessment, and dietary counseling is seen as essential for health maintenance.... The facts of food composition are not enough!