Rehabilitative feeding programs, to be effective, must be carried out for three meals per day, seven days a week. There should be planned consistency of staff working with the same patient. Over-all supervision by a licensed nurse during rehabilitative feeding is essential. Rehabilitative feeding and dining is a Nursing Services responsibility. Monitoring of patients in rehabilitative feeding programs must be frequent.
Monitoring is essential to measure the patients' progress toward goals.
Weight monitoring should be done weekly. Nutrient intake needs frequent monitoring. Behaviors should be monitored on a per meal basis. 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.