Suitable dining space and appropriate equipment is essential. For example, tables which permit wheelchairs to be placed under them, and the use of plate guards and other adaptive equipment as appropriate. Training of Nurses Aides in emergency procedures is essential. Access to a telephone and other staff who can assist is essential. Toileting before meals is important to the patients' well-being and ability to concentrate during dining.
Adequate time is essential for rehabilitative feeding.
It is recommended that Nursing Services management periodically assess the time allowed for rehabilitative feeding. Elimination of distractions during rehabilitative feeding is essential. There should be no extraneous visiting by aides during meals, and the use of TV by patients or staff should not be allowed during dining. Written protocols which include the correct positioning of patients during and following feeding must be available to all who feed the patient. Precautions recommended by BNHA include that only trained, assigned persons feed these patients.