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Therapeutic Diet Ordering Privileges

                In May, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave RDs working in a hospital the ability to order therapeutic diets without requiring a physician’s order.  While this is a step forward for RDs, this same ruling also states that the hospital has the right to give these ordering privileges to any nutrition professional.  That nutrition professional does not necessarily have to be an RD.  There have been mixed reactions to this decision, some saying that by including other nutrition professionals it minimizes an RD’s credentials.  Others felt with the inclusion of other nutrition professionals, that RDs can “up their game” and prove why they knowledge and skills are valuable.  In either case, it is important for this ruling to define what a qualified nutrition professional is.  It was decided that the hospitals have the ability to decide who and who is not a qualified nutrition professional on an individual basis.  The ruling states, “Not every nutrition professional or every dietitian will automatically be able to write independent orders.”  The decision must include medical staff recommendations for each individual.  Overall, it has been considered a step in the right direction for RDs and a huge win for nutrition professionals.  The Academy did not directly give a statement to Today’s Dietitian, however, in other press releases the AND states they are focusing on the ways their members will benefit from this new ruling.   

Schaeffer, J. (2014). Therapeutic Diet Ordering Privileges: What the CMS Final Rule Says, to Whom It Applies, and What RDs and Other Nutrition Professionals Think About It. Today’s Dietitian, 16(10):48. Retrieved from: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/100614p48.shtml

AF

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