Dietitian is a nutrition advocate, counselor for most inpatients

When one hears the word “hospital” it may conjure visions of nurses and doctors; and maybe lab technologists coming to draw blood.. However, the road to health consists of many components, not the least of which is nutrition concerns. Not only do doctors, nurses and medical technologists play a key role in the recovery of patients, but dietitians play a role for inpatients during their stay and as they leave the hospital to care for themselves at home.

Dietitian Sue Schommer, RD, LD, discusses nutrition concerns with patient John Mueller during a recent hospital stay.

“A dietitian acts as a nutrition advocate for the patient while they are in the hospital, and provides nutrition counseling for the patient prior to discharge,” said Sue Schommer, RD, LD, one of three dietitians at the New Ulm Medical Center. “Often, a patient is returning home after a major surgery or with a newly diagnosed condition that may require them to think about their diet in a whole new way.”

A registered dietitian is required to complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, a dietetic internship and pass the national dietetic registration examination. They must also complete a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education each year. A dietitian in the hospital setting is involved in the care of almost every patient admitted.

“When a patient is admitted, we review their medical history and their present condition to determine if a nutrition assessment and/or intervention is needed while in the hospital,” Schommer said. This may include oral nutritional supplements (for example, Ensure, Boost and others) or even tube feedings.

“Proper nutrition is a basic building block of good health. If a patient is receiving food with the appropriate nutritional value for their specific needs, it can go a long way toward assisting with their recovery,” said Joan Krikava, MD, an internal medicine specialist and hospitalist at the New Ulm Medical Center. “If they go home from the hospital with a newly diagnosed condition such as diabetes or heart disease, it will most likely require a major shift in their diet.”

That’s where nutritional counseling plays an important role, Schommer said. Other family members living with the patient may also have to adjust to a new way of planning meals. “Our nutrition counseling often includes family members who may need to think differently about how they’ll fix supper for their spouse,” she said.

At New Ulm Medical Center, Dietitian Rebecca Fliszar, RD, LD, plays an important role in counseling for outpatient diabetic patients. In addition, she helps promote healthy eating and lifestyles out in the community through various health and wellness programs supported by NUMC. Fliszar, who is certified in pediatric dietetics, has played a key role in implementing the DAAN program in grades 2, 3 and 4 in area schools. DAAN is a healthy lifestyle curriculum that teaches children about proper nutrition, portion sizes, how food affects their bodies and the importance of physical activity.

“One of the great things about being a dietitian is the diversity – working with the very young to the very old. I get to educate people in a proactive way to help them maintain good health , especially for those who may have just been diagnosed with a new condition, such as diabetes,” Fliszar said.

The third dietitian at NUMC is Kate Callahan-Schmitz, RD, LD, who also sees patients in the clinic outpatient setting.

In most countries, the term “dietitian” is a legally protected term, which means that only people who have specific educational credentials can call themselves “dietitians.” Often, people may confuse dietitians with nutritionists. However, “nutritionist” is not a legally protected term; therefore, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist no matter what their level of education.

New Ulm Medical Center
1324 Fifth North Street
New Ulm, MN 56073
507-233-1000
Maps & directions