Department of Dietetics

Services Offered/Provided (Latest)

The services provided by the Department of Dietetics can be categorized into two area of services, namely clinical services and non -clinical services

2.1 Clinical Services

2.1.1 Medical nutrition therapy services

Medical nutrition therapy services are provided to outpatients and inpatients by dietitian. Medical nutritional therapy includes the process of assessment of nutritional status, nutrition diagnosis, intervention plan including diet regimen/plan, monitoring and re-evaluation of therapy efficacy

2.1.2   Inpatient Services

Medical nutritional therapy services are provided for all inpatients referred by a medical officer to a dietitian. Apart from referrals, dietitians also perform nutritional screening on patients identified as needing medical nutritional therapy in the ward.

Dietitians are also involved in team care of patients. This method combines the skills and experience of various health professionals to ensure more effective, intensive, quality and cost-effective patient care.
This method can also avoid redundancy in the process of patient care by conducting discussions and communication more effectively.

2.1.3 Outpatient Services

Primary Care Dietitian Clinic (RUKA)
The clinic operates every working day from 8.30 am - 4.30 pm. Most of the patients referred were from RUKA Clinic, Family, and Staff Health. Apart from that, there were also referrals from other specialist clinics when dietitians are not available at the clinic on that day.

Specialist Clinic and Day Care Centre
Dietitians are also stationed at specialist clinics and day care to provide medical nutritional therapy services to patients referred by medical officers.

2.2 Non -Clinical Services

Services under the Catering Unit

2.2.1 Management and monitoring of meal contracts

Quality control of food services, preparation and supply process of food to inpatients and lunch meal for officer in Operation Theater is done by Unit Sajian. The monitoring method is through food testing by appointed officers, management of customer feedback and complaints, review of food portions/weight, monitoring the food supply process in the ward and hygienic monitoring in the main kitchen area.

Apart from the above, the Unit Sajian  is also responsible for financial management related to inpatient food services, hospitality provision, lunch meal provider for Operation Theater officers and dry food supply for patients in the ward.

2.2.2 Monitoring of Food Premises within PPUM

Starting in 2019, the Dietetics Department has conducted daily monitoring on all food premises and "vending machines" available at UMMC. Monitoring is done by an Assistant Environmental Health Officer Grade U29 assisted by a Health Care Assistant from the Catering Unit.
Apart from daily monitoring, the Department also works with Officers and Assistant Environmental Health Officers from the Health Office, Lembah Pantai to ensure that food premises in UMMC are always in a clean and safe condition, as well as selling clean, safe and quality food.
The Dietetics Department also works with Officers from the Business Development Department and Premises Auditors who have been appointed to conduct monitoring audits on all food premises in UMMC and in their kitchens outside of UMMC.

2.2.3 Enteral Food Supply Services and Infant Formula

The Department of Dietetics through the Enteral Food Supply Unit (UBME) conducts enteral food supply services and Infant Formula to inpatients at UMMC.

• Enteral foods
  Enteral foods include supplemental or full liquid foods given by mouth or through a tube into the gastrointestinal system. There are more than 20 types of products supplied in the form of RTU (ready-to-use), RTD (ready-to-drink) or powder supplied according to patient needs.
• Preparation and Supply of Infant Formula
  There are four categories of formulas provided, namely:
  • Infant Formula Formula
  • Premature Infant Formula Formula
  • Special Formula-(extensively hydolysed and amino-acid based formula)
  • Metabolic formula for patients with in-born errors of metabolism according to their respective diagnoses

All infant formula including milk bottles and nipples will only be supplied according to a prescription from a medical officer.