‘The hospital menu monitors came to find me after my procedure so I could choose what I wanted to eat from the menu,’ Monash Health patient
We know how important a healthy diet is when we are well, but for someone who has been acutely ill, or who is recovering from surgery, nutrition takes on added importance.
Patients can find it hard to meet their increased nutritional requirements if they are unwell and their appetite is low. They may also be unaware that dietary needs change during illness or hospitalisation, and that extra protein and calories (energy) are needed.
Some patients may even restrict their intake of important nutritional elements and opt for fruits and vegetables instead of desserts, in the belief they are doing the right thing for their health. Other patients may be limited by the choice of meals on the menu and will eat more if they have familiar foods from home.
To help patients, families and carers get accurate information, Nutrition and Dietetics has developed an informative video animation: ‘Eating Well in Hospital’.
This new video intentionally simplifies nutrition science into plain language and practical strategies for patients to understand, feel empowered and participate in their care.
The use of animation, images and clear text is designed for those with low literacy, vision and hearing. The messages incorporated in the video will arm patients, families and carers with strategies to ‘make the most of every mouthful’ and return home sooner.
Patients with reduced intake and high nutrition requirements are at risk of developing malnutrition and its associated adverse outcomes that include depression of the immune system, impaired wound healing, muscle wasting, longer length of stay and higher treatment costs.
A second video – ‘Eating to recover after your hospital stay’ – builds on the content of ‘Eating well in Hospital’ by providing advice for patients after they go home. It identifies important nutritional tips for recovering at home such as what to do if you don’t have the energy to cook, which foods to choose, and how to monitor your progress.
These videos are available to all patients and their families via the Monash Health website.