Nutrition Care Process and Model: ADA adopts road map to quality care and outcomes management

Abstract

The establishment and implementation of a standardized Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and Model were identified as priority actions for the profession for meeting goals of the ADA Strategic Plan to “Increase demand and utilization of services provided by members” and “Empower members to compete successfully in a rapidly changing environment” (1). Providing high-quality nutrition care means doing the right thing at the right time, in the right way, for the right person, and achieving the best possible results. Quality improvement literature shows that, when a standardized process is implemented, less variation and more predictability in terms of outcomes occur (2). When providers of care, no matter their location, use a process consistently, comparable outcomes data can be generated to demonstrate value. A standardized Nutrition Care Process effectively promotes the dietetics professional as the unique provider of nutrition care when it is consistently used as a systematic method to think critically and make decisions to provide safe and effective nutrition care (3). This article describes the four steps of ADA’s Nutrition Care Process and the overarching framework of the Nutrition Care Model that illustrates the context within which the Nutrition Care Process occurs. In addition, this article provides the rationale for a standardized process by which nutrition care is provided, distinguishes between the Nutrition Care Process and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), and discusses future implications for the profession.