Nutrition Care Process Model

The Nutrition Care Model is a visual representation of the Nutrition Care Process that illustrates the workflow of practitioners in diverse individual and population care delivery settings. The Nutrition Care Process and Model represents nutrition care within the context of nutrition and dietetics practice, health care and health care systems. At the center is the interaction between the professional with the individual/population.

• The central component, or core, of the model represents the relationship of the individual client or group and the RDN. By embracing the various areas in which nutrition and dietetics care is practiced, professional interactions that influence individuals and populations are recognized and incorporated into the model.
• The quadrants represent the four steps of the Nutrition Care Process (Nutrition Assessment, Nutrition Diagnosis, Nutrition Intervention and Nutrition Monitoring & Evaluation).
• The middle ring represents the represents the skills and abilities of the RDN, along with applications of evidence-based practice, the Code of Ethics and knowledge of the RDN. These required qualities and attributes differentiate nutrition and dietetics professionals from other professions.
• The outer ring represents the social context of nutrition care, including the influences on how people received nutrition information and how professionals engage their clients. Examples might include environmental factors—such as healthcare systems, socioeconomics and practice settings—that impact the ability of a client or group to benefit from RDN services.

Two components reside outside the rings of the Nutrition Care Process because they may be executed by collaborators from other professions and disciplines:

• Entry into the NCP occurs when screening and/or referral occur. Clinical guidelines and policies in acute care settings advocate for routine screening for malnutrition risk. If a client is found at nutrition risk, the NCP begins. To support the screening of malnutrition, review a comprehensive list of malnutrition screening terms for adults and pediatrics, including definitions, references, and a list of available and validated translations for the tools.
• The Outcomes Management System encourages professionals to demonstrate the improved nutritional health of clients by participating in research and quality improvement activities.