Speaker Message #19: Revised Draft Standards of Practice in Nutrition Care for the RD and DTR and the Standards of Professional Performance for the RD and DTR

Speaker Message #19: Revised Draft Standards of Practice in Nutrition Care for the RD and DTR and the Standards of Professional Performance for the RD and DTR

Date: January 7, 2008
To: House of Delegates
From: Ellen R. Shanley, MBA, RD, CD-N, Speaker
Subject: Speaker Message #19: Revised Draft Standards of Practice in Nutrition Care for the RD and DTR and the Standards of Professional Performance for the RD and DTR

Message Priority: High
Respond By: Friday, February 15, 2008
HOD Core Function: Setting Policy for the Profession
Executive Summary: This message provides background on the revised draft SOP/SOPP being presented for member input. A series of four documents are provided for review and comment. The dates for member input are noted, along with the dates for additional action to be taken to approve the revised draft SOP/SOPP.

Background on Revised Draft SOP/SOPP

  • The Quality Management Committee was charged with reviewing and revising the ADA Standards of Practice (SOP) in Nutrition Care for the RD and DTR and the Standards of Professional Practice (SOPP) for the RD and DTR in November 2006 by the ADA Board of Directors.
  • As a result, the Quality Management Committee reviewed the 2005 SOP and SOPP during the 2006-2007 program year with close attention to the federal regulations to ensure consistency.
  • The Quality Management Committee solicited feedback on the draft SOP/SOPP by conducting two surveys in May 2007 of RDs and DTRs (including both members and non-members) and received input from over 500 individuals.
  • In addition, the Quality Management Committee conducted a series of listening calls with the Dietetic Technicians in Practice DPG executive committee over the course of several months. The purpose of the calls was to discuss the potential changes to the SOP for the RD and DTR based on federal regulations.
  • The HOD Leadership Team and ADA Board of Directors have reviewed and discussed the revised draft SOP/SOPP and support the release of the document to the membership.
  • The essential changes to the revised draft SOP/SOPP include the following:
    1. an added emphasis to the importance of compliance with regulatory standards;
    2. the definition of supervision; and
    3. clear delineation between the RD and DTR standards of practice in nutrition care
    Additionally, the important team interaction between the RD and DTR is incorporated to promote a shared understanding in practice.

Documents for Review

  • The following documents are provided for your review and for distribution to members for input:
    1. Executive Summary of Revised Draft SOP/SOPP which includes a chart comparing changes between the 2005 SOP/SOPP and 2008 version (3 pages)
    2. Revised Draft SOP/SOPP (33 pages)
    3. Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Revised Draft SOP/SOPP (4 pages)
    4. HOD Member Fact Sheet-Revised Draft SOP/SOPP (2 pages)

Member Input Needed

  • The Quality Management Committee is releasing the revised draft SOP in Nutrition Care for the RD and DTR and the SOPP for the RD and DTR for member input at this time.
  • The member comment period is from Monday, January 7, 2008 until Friday, February 15, 2008. Comments submitted by members should be posted to the HOD CoI for review by all delegates. You will post member input and your own perspectives in the “Discussion” section of the HOD CoI.
  • The member input will be utilized by the Quality Management Committee for finalization of the revised draft SOP/SOPP.
  • Member input is critical to the process. Also, please share your own thoughts regarding the revised draft document.

Next Steps

  • The final steps related to the revised draft SOP/SOPP will be an electronic dialogue and vote on the final document released to HOD on March 24, 2008. The following dates and activities should be noted on your calendar:
    • March 24: Final SOP/SOPP released to HOD via the HOD CoI
    • March 24 to 28: Review and discussion of motion to approve the final SOP/SOPP
    • March 31 to April 2: Amendment to the motion may be posted
    • April 3 to 8: Deliberation of the motion (and amendments)
    • April 9 to 15: Voting on motion electronically
    • April 18: Notice of the outcome of the vote is posted to the HOD CoI and ADA Web site.
  • A simple majority of delegates voting will be needed to approve the final SOP/SOPP.
  • If you are unable to participate in any or part of the motion deliberation and voting due to work or personal responsibilities, please identify a “proxy delegate” to take your place.
  • In order for a “proxy delegate” to participate, please contact Harold Holler (hholler@eatright.org) or Nina Landrum (nlandrum@eatright.org). The name, member number and current e-mail address of the “proxy delegate” must be provided in advance.
  • If you have any problems posting a message to the HOD CoI (via the “Discussion” section, please contact Nina Landrum for assistance.

For More Information or Assistance
Contact Ellen Shanley at ellen.shanley@uconn.edu or 860/486-0119; Joanne Shearer at joanne.shearer@medcath.com or 605/977-7160; or Harold Holler at hholler@eatright.org or 800/877-1600, ext. 4896.