Replies

This isn't acceptable and should be reported to the DON immediately if noticed. I work at a NH. Anyone that loses a % of wt each month or has a slight but steady decrease is put on a dining program where their intake is closely supervised and weighed weekly. All weight losses must be explainable and are reported to the MD and dietian. I have worked at 3 different facilities and this was done at each one. I just assumed all monitored intake and meals closely.

Sure, you're right. I was at a place where we were careful and accountable, working w/dietitian (I also did kitchen work occasionally, mincing the food) and taking weights. But if someone got rushed, or just through accident, it was possible for a patient/client to be missed -- it was pointed out to me that we had to take responsibility for each person to get fed.

Do you know (this is funny, ie strange, to consider) that I still have dreams in which I'm serving trays, needing to make sure each person gets fed? And that was many years ago, summer & in between jobs!

In visiting friends in hospitals in recent years, I've seen trays just left by side of the bed without regard of pts ability to reach the food. Incredible!