DOH hospitals focuses on treating malnourished patients in Ilocos region through NCP
DBPH Admin2 
Participants of the three-day in-depth training on “Nutrition Care Process” for nutritionists-dietitians from various DOH and district hospitals in Region 1
TWO (2) of the Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region premier apex hospitals namely, the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) and the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) collaborated and conducted the first three-day in-depth training on “Nutrition Care Process” for nutritionists-dietitians from October 21-24, 2024 to focus on the assessment and evaluation of malnourished patient’s admitted in public hospitals in the region.
“This is an important initiative because malnutrition is a prevalent and underdiagnosed condition among our hospital patients in our hospitals. While most are malnourished or at risk for malnutrition, only a few receive a medical diagnosis for their condition,” ITRMC Medical Center Chief Eduardo M. Badua III stated during his opening message.
“There is a need to identify our malnourished patients properly for them to receive optimal and timely nutritional treatment. And with an established nutrition care process plan among our hospitals, we are able to assess their situation and ensure their safety for improving health outcomes such as decrease malnutrition-related morbidity and mortality”.
The objective of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) is to improve the consistency and quality of individualized care for patients/clients or groups and the predictability of the patient/client outcomes.
It is comprised of four steps: nutrition assessment and reassessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention and nutrition monitoring and evaluation. This NCP leads to a more efficient care, better communication, and greater recognition of the importance of nutrition in the recovery of a patient.
Dr. Reynald L. Estandian, a clinical dietician of ITRMC said that proper nutrition is an integral part of patient care. “The change of behavior of patients—that is to eat the prescribed diet prepared particularly for a patient can provide substantial physical benefits and ensures psychological comfort throughout the patient’s admission. Ang kanilang diet ay dapat naayon sa kanilang pangangailangan sa kanilang kalusugan upang sila ay mas agarang gumaling.”
“Individualized diets are important for patients in improving their nutritional intake, manage their health condition, improve weight management and improve their health outcomes.”
“And by engaging with our patients, we can understand their needs, preferences, and goals and identify the optimal nutritional intervention that must be provided for each patient,” Estandian emphasized.
The activity was attended by 33 nutritionists and dieticians from various district hospitals, other DOH Hospitals— Ilocos Sur Medical Center, Conrado F. Estrella Regional Trauma and Medical Center.
DOH – Health Facility Development Bureau requires and monitors the submission of NCP bi-annually. These are validated by the Health Facility Development Unit (HFDU) at the regional office through the Integrated Hospital Operations Management Program (IHOMP) conducted annually.
The in-depth training on the “Nutrition Care Process” for nutritionists-dietitians was held in Bauang, La Union with technical and financial assistance from HFDU.
