The Dietitian’s Role in the Interdisciplinary Team

Interdisciplinary teams (IDT) in healthcare settings work collaboratively to ensure the health and well-being of residents in skilled nursing, long-term care, and other healthcare facilities. These teams bring together the expertise of various roles, including doctors, nurses, therapists, dietitians, and others, to provide comprehensive and effective treatment for residents and patients.

Registered Dietitians (RDs) play a crucial role within IDTs by leveraging the collaborative approach to enhance residents’ nutritional care. This teamwork ensures that residents receive well-rounded, personalized care that addresses their unique health needs.

Registered Dietitians:

For RDs, establishing strong relationships with other team members is essential. They collaborate with nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors to gather comprehensive health information about residents. This information forms the foundation for creating tailored nutrition plans that address specific medical conditions and dietary requirements.

RDs also engage with a variety of other professionals within the IDT, including:

• Therapists

• Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)

• Social Workers

• Restorative Aides

• Certified Dietary Managers

Collaboration with Speech Therapists:

An important aspect of an RD’s role within the IDT is the close working relationship with speech therapists. Residents with swallowing difficulties pose a unique challenge that requires coordinated care. For example, if an RD notices a resident struggling with chewing or swallowing during a nutrition assessment, they immediately communicate this with the speech therapist. The speech therapist can conduct a swallow study to determine the safest and most appropriate diet texture for the individual. This collaborative effort ensures that the resident receives the necessary dietary adjustments promptly, including switching to pureed foods or implementing tube feeding if needed. The results of the swallow study are shared with the dietary manager to make the necessary changes in the meal plan, ensuring the resident’s safety and nutritional intake.

Partnering with Restorative Aides:

Another close relationship within the IDT is between the RD and the restorative aides. Restorative aides are responsible for measuring weights, among many other vital tasks. With weight loss and weight gain being a prevalent issue with many residents, tracking weight is a preventative tool for maintaining resident’s health and well-being.

Much like the relationship between an RD and a speech therapist, having open communication between the RD and the restorative aides makes a difference when assessing an individual’s nutritional status and assisting with their health outcomes.

Teamwork in Resident Care:

When it comes to nursing and care, the well-known expression, “It takes a village,” often comes to mind. Daily collaborations and communication within the network of individuals at facilities are integral to resident care. While the examples outlined above are merely a glimpse of the daily interactions RDs experience with other health professionals, a well-oiled IDT is essential for achieving health, safety, and comfort for residents.

By working together, IDTs ensure that every resident receives comprehensive and personalized care. This collaborative approach enhances the quality of care and fosters a supportive and efficient healthcare environment, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for residents.

As one of the industry’s largest employers of Registered Dietitians, Healthcare Services Group is committed to helping thousands of communities nationwide to ensure nutrition is top of mind and utilized as one of the first tools toward healthful living. Through our Registered Dietitian services, we empower residents with the highest level of choice while creating personalized meal plans that support nutritional requirements and personal preferences. HCSG dietitians are educated and trained to provide the best patient-centered nutritional practices and collaborate closely with Medical Directors, Administrators, Directors of Nursing, and Dining Managers to deliver people-centered nutritional care. Learn more at HCSG.com/Nutrition

Sara Ross, MS, RD, LD | sara.ross@hcsgcorp.com

“The opportunity to develop relationships with residents and team members is why I love being a part of an IDT. Knowing that I am a part of a team actively trying to make a positive difference in residents’ lives through nutrition and other services is immensely rewarding.”

Sara has been part of the HCSG team since 2021. She started as an RD and has since progressed to her current role as Lead Dietitian. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Stephen F. Austin State University. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sara now resides in Houston with her husband, four cats, and Dachshund. Interestingly enough, she worked as a chef before shifting to Dietetics and continues to enjoy cooking and traveling to explore different cultures, music, and culinary experiences.

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