Nutrition services in Canadian neonatal intensive care: The role of the dietitian

inclusion of registered dietitians/nutritionists (RDNs) on the neonatal int ensive care team has been shown to improve nutrition and growth rates in hi gh-risk infants, shortening their hospital stay. To determine the role of R DNs, 55 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and post-discharge services i n Canada were surveyed. The response rate was 69%. RDNs were involved in 73 % (8/11) of level II and 92% (24/26) of level III units. The average RDN ti me devoted to the NICU, in foil-time equivalents, was 0.2 in level IT and 0 .5 in level III units. More than 90% of the RDNs develop, evaluate, and mod ify nutrition care plans, and then document interventions in the health rec ord. Seventy-nine percent of the RDNs participate in teaching rounds and pa tient care conferences, and make referrals to the community. AII of the RDN s instruct patient families. Seventy-one percent of respondents provide fam ily follow-up care after hospital discharge. Forty-six percent work with fa milies of NICU graduates with feeding difficulties. Eighty-two percent prov ide education to other health professionals. Sixty-eight percent participat e in research projects, initiating the majority of these projects. These re sults provide pertinent information for clinical leaders seeking to establi sh a role for the clinical dietitian in neonatal intensive care. For those already working in NICUs, the results may provide some guidance on role def inition and expansion.