International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative transition

Starting this week, Intermountain Peaks has transitioned from the National Dysphagia Diet framework for different dysphagia consistencies (e.g., pureed, chopped, etc.) to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative.

This is a more standardized diet and is what both the national Speech-Language Pathology and Registered Dietitian associations now support. To transition, every single food and liquid item has been tested, and the Saint Joseph kitchen staff has been trained in preparation. Epic changes are now live.

The SLP and RD teams are available to help if needed, and their documentation and signage in patient rooms will reflect the IDDSI diets. The below Epic screenshots demonstrate what Epic now looks like. Nursing staff have been asked to become familiar with the new verbiage and consistencies in order to understand what the food should look like for patients on one of these diets.

IDDSI & NDD

Below is a visual representation of the two diets and how they compare.

Thank you for your support of this transition, which is expected to decrease patient-safety concerns and result in increased standardization of the food provided to patients with dysphagia.