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Academy Publishing

The Nutrition Care Process and Model

The Nutrition Care Process and Model - FAQs

 

  1. What is the Nutrition Care Process Model? 

The Nutrition Care Process Model (NCPM) is a graphic representation of the steps of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and the internal and external factors that impact use of the NCP. The screening and referral and outcomes management systems referenced in the NCPM are outside the nutrition care steps managed directly by the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). 

 

  1. What is the Nutrition Care Process and Nutrition Care Process Terminology? 

The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) is a systematic approach to providing high quality nutrition care. Use of a care process provides a framework for the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) to customize care, taking into account the client’s needs and values and using the best evidence available to make decisions. In 2003, the House of Delegates (HOD) of the Academy of Nutrition of Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) adopted the NCP to provide dietetics professionals with a framework for critical thinking and decision-making. Use of the NCP can lead to more efficient and effective care and greater recognition of the role of dietetic professionals in all care settings. 

Using the Nutrition Care Process Terminology (NCPT) supports safe, effective, efficient, person centered, timely, and equitable nutrition care delivered in collaboration with providers, agencies, and communities.1 Robust updates of the NCPT result in clear documentation using structured electronic health records (EHRs) with predefined NCPT data elements in place of unstructured or free‐text data in EHRs. The NCPT contains 3 terminologies—Nutrition Assessment and Monitoring and Evaluation, Nutrition Diagnosis, Nutrition Intervention—for the profession of nutrition and dietetics. Terms, values and definitions for each concept are agreed upon by the Nutrition Care Process and Terminology Committee (NCPTC) and additional information is provided in the NCPT to characterize the context for their use. The NCPT has been translated from US English into several languages and dialects, all of which are fully accessible to subscribers of the electronic NCPT. 
 

  1. Is use of the Nutrition Care Process required by the Academy? 

The  Standards of Practice in Nutrition Care and Standards of Professional Performance for RDNs and NDTRs include the use of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP). The regulatory agency, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), states in the Condition of Participation: Food and Dietetic Services that a qualified dietitian supervising aspects of nutrition care must maintain professional standards of practice. The CMS interpretive guidelines outline dietitian responsibilities in regard to incorporating the NCP. The Academy works with national quality organizations to use the NCP in guiding survey evaluation of dietetic services standards and elements of performance. In addition, the NCP and model is an integral part of nutrition and dietetics education and credentialing criteria for the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and nutrition and dietetics technician, registered (NDTR) exams. 
 

  1. Does the Nutrition Care Process apply to registered dietitian nutritionists who are not in clinical practice? 

The Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and Model is based on the scientific problem-solving method and the primary use is for the practitioner. Because the NCP is a framework used for critical thinking and decision-making, it can be utilized by registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in all work settings including clinical, management, food service, research, community, and education.  
 

  1. Does the Nutrition Care Process affect electronic health record documentation? 

The Nutrition Care Process Terminology (NCPT) is intended to be used in electronic health documentation systems.  It is meant to be used with the ADIME format, which directly parallels the Nutrition Care Process (NCP). The Academy understands the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) may not always have the authority to change the format for documentation; however, use of the NCP will allow the RDN to focus their chart notes and make documentation more concise.  The ADIME template is foundational to RDN and NDTR documentation using the NCPT.  
 

  1. What is the role of the nutrition and dietetics technician, registered in the Nutrition Care Process? 

The nutrition and dietetics technician, registered (NDTR) works within their scope of practice and under the direction and supervision of the registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) in accordance with both state and federal guidance. Refer to the Scope of Practice for additional information. 

 

1 Individuals and populations are referred to as clients in association with the NCP. Client also includes supportive individuals (e.g., family, caregivers) and structures (e.g., social service agencies, faith-based organizations). Individuals, populations, supportive individuals, and structures are implied each time a reference is made to the client.  





 

2023 EDITION