Member Benefits Join/Renew News Center Search Submit Advocacy Leadership Payment Practice Research Sign In Home Professional Resource Hub Coronavirus (COVID-19) As the impact of COVID-19 unfolds, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is gathering resources for food and nutrition practitioners to address preparedness, patient care and food safety and access. Professional Resource Hub COVID-19 PRACTICE TIPS Stay informed and follow recommendations of local and federal agencies. Perform within your individual scope of practice. Request training and document competence in new tasks and services. Use the best available evidence-based guidance and resources. JUMP TO A SECTION Resources Questions Webinars On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease, more commonly known as COVID-19, a pandemic due to the number of individuals and countries affected. As a result, many changes in our daily lives are being recommended in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, including the ones identified in the President's Coronavirus Guidelines for America. STAYING INFORMED It's important for nutrition and dietetics practitioners to stay informed of updates and to reinforce the importance of following the recommendations of local and federal government agencies to their patients and clients. Registered dietitian nutritionists and all other nutrition and dietetics professionals are encouraged to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, continue to monitor the outbreak and have issued guidance for both consumers and healthcare professionals alike. Access to critical medical care and safe, nutritious food are being addressed on many levels. There may be additional factors to consider depending on where you reside or the setting in which your practice. The Academy supports access to medical nutrition therapy services for all citizens during the current public health emergency and efforts to ensure access to food during the COVID-19 response. Measures are being taken to expand telehealth coverage in accordance with the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by the President on March 6. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is working with many agencies in order to provide ongoing nutrition assistance during the pandemic and has issued guidance for these programs. The Academy is keeping its members up to date through several communications vehicles. Stay informed as new resources and guidance become available by: watching your email inbox for important alerts following the @eatrightPRO social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn monitoring Latest News on eatrightPRO.org reading Eat Right Weekly (issued on Wednesdays) and Nutrition and Dietetics SmartBrief (daily) SCOPE OF PRACTICE During the COVID-19 pandemic, RDNs and NDTRs may be asked to expand duties and services as a credentialed practitioner, including screening, treatment and care of COVID-19 patients, as well as taking temperatures and blood pressure, triage/screening and listening to lung and bowel sounds. While it can be within a credentialed practitioner's scope to assist with COVID-19 through their organizations and practice settings, each practitioner should ensure the duties being performed are within their individual scope of practice. For example, some RDNs have been trained in the placement of enteral tubes at the patient's bedside and should be encouraged to assist with these procedures as training and facility policy allows. Other RDNs should assist only if they demonstrate and document competence through on-site facility training by their organizations during the COVID-19 response. RDNs with limited experience in caring for patients in intensive care units or who require enteral or parenteral nutrition should collaborate with the physician and pharmacist to order and monitor these therapies to support safe and quality care. In these unusual times, RDNs and NDTRs are being asked to contribute to patients in critical care in ways that some practitioners may not have previously in their practice. Be open to contributing and learning new skills, but practitioners should ask for training to ensure they have the demonstrated and documented competence to perform the activity. RESOURCES This working list of resources will be expanded over time, so check back often. Academy members also are welcome to make suggestions of other science-based resources our staff RDNs should review and consider. Critical Care Resources Academy's 2020 Cystic Fibrosis Guideline (login required) Academy's 2019 COPD Guideline (login required) Academy's 2017 Heart Failure Guideline (login required) Academy's 2012 Critical Illness Guideline (login required) Academy's Nutrition Care Manual: 2020 Critical Illness Section (no login) Academy's Implementation Tips: Cystic Fibrosis Nutrition Care during the Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Pandemic (no login) ACC: Clinical Guidance for the Cardiovascular Care Team (pdf) CCM and ICM: Surviving Sepsis Campaign-Guidelines on the Management of Critically Ill Adults with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (PDF) FDA: : Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Resources for Health Professionals Journal article : Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A 2019 Evidence Analysis Center Evidence-Based Practice Guideline (no login) Journal article : Clinical Ethics and Nutrition Support Practice: Implications for Practice Change and Curriculum Development (no login) Journal Article : Effects of Micronutrients or Conditional Amino Acids on COVID-19 Related Outcomes: An Evidence Analysis Center Scoping Review (no login) Journal article : Intensive Medical Nutrition Therapy: Methods to Improve Nutrition Provision in the Critical Care Setting (no login) Journal article : Malnutrition Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Evidence Analysis Center (no login) New Resource Journal article: The Impact of Various Ways the Dietitian Makes Recommendations in a Medical Intensive and a Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit for Mechanically Ventilated Patients Requiring Nutrition Support (no login) WHO: Clinical Care Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (no login) Diabetes American Diabetes Association COVID-19 (no login) Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists: Patient handouts on sick day management for adults and children (no login) Enteral/Parenteral Nutrition Academy's Nutrition Care Manual: Enteral Nutrition or Tube Feeding; Parenteral Nutrition; Parenteral Formula (subscription required) ASPEN Enteral Nutrition Handbook, 2nd ed. (purchase required) ASPEN Parenteral Amino Acids and Parenteral Multiple Vitamins Products Shortage Considerations (no login) ASPEN Resources for Clinicians Caring for Patients with Coronavirus (no login) CNR article: Energy Requirements in Critically Ill Patients (no login) eBook: Pocket Guide to Enteral Nutrition, 2nd Ed. (purchase required) Journal article : Outcomes of Early Enteral Nutrition in Ventilated Septic Shock Patients Receiving Vasopressor Therapy (no login) Financial/Business and Funding GENYOUth: COVID-19 Emergency School Nutrition Funding Grant Information (no login) US Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus Emergency Loans and Small Business Guide and Checklist (PDF) US Small Business Administration: Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources (no login) Food Security, Food Waste and Hunger Academy Foundation: Future of Food Tossed Treasure program (no login) Academy Foundation: Food Security Solutions toolkit (no login) Academy's Implementation Tips: Nutrition Care for Low-Income Families during the Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Pandemic (no login) CDC: Shopping for Food During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Information for Consumers (no login) Feeding America: Local Food Bank Directory and Healthy Food Bank Hub (no login) FRAC: Maximizing WIC's Role During the COVID-19 Pandemic (no login) SAP4KIDS: Ensuring Students and Families in Need Can Access Critical Resources (no login) USDA: Find Meals for Kids When Schools Are Closed (no login) USDA: Food Supply and Access Info (no login, click Access to Food) USDA: Food and Nutrition Services COVID-19 Response (no login) USDA: National Hunger Hotline (no login) General Information CDC: Running Essential Errands (no login) CDC: COVID-19 One-Stop Shop Toolkits (no login) CDC: COVID-19 Testing (no login) CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines (no login) CDC: What's New (no login) EBSCO, provider of electronic resources for Library Services: COVID-19 Portal (no login) Elsevier Novel Coronavirus Information Center (no login) FDA: Multilingual COVID-19 Resources (no login) National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Resources to Support the Health and Well-Being of Clinicians During the COVID-19 Outbreak (no login) The Joint Commission: Statements and Resources (no login) U.S. Department of Labor: COVID-19 and the American Workplace (no login) WHO: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Myth busters (no login) Kidney and Renal Disease ISN: Recommendations for the Novel Coronavirus 2019 Epidemic Kidney International: Kidney disease is associated with in-hospital death of patients with COVID-19 National Kidney Foundation: COVID-19 Resources Renal Association: COVID-19: challenges for renal services Pregnancy and Infant Feeding Academy's Implementation Tips: Preterm Infant Nutrition Care during the Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Pandemic (no login) CDC: Care for Breastfeeding Women (no login) CDC: Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (no login) FDA: Use of Donor Human Milk (no login) ISUOG: Interim Guidance on 2019 novel coronavirus infection during pregnancy and puerperium (no login) Pediatric Nutrition DPG: Infant Formula and Feeding Recipe Tables for Discharge Instruction (PDF) Is Homemade Baby Formula Safe? (no login) WHO: Breastfeeding advice during the COVID-19 outbreak Preparedness and Response Academy's Nutrition Care Manual: Diet Manual Disaster Preparedness Section (PDF) DHCC DPG Webinar: COVID-19 Front & Back of the House Precautions Recorded Webinar (no login) CDC: Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Institutional Food Service Operators (no login) CDC: Information for Healthcare Professionals (no login) CDC: Schools, Workplaces and Community Locations (no login) CDC: Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater: What You Need to Know (no login) CMS:Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes Memo (pdf) FDA: Coronavirus and Production/Processing and Food Retail (no login) FDA: Temporary Policy Regarding Nutrition Labeling of Certain Packaged Food During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (no login) OSHA: Preparing your facilities for Covid-19 (no login) WHO: Operational Planning Guidelines and COVID-19 Partners Platform to support country preparedness and response (no login) Standards of Practice/Standards of Professional Performance Journal article : Why Do Practitioners Need to Read the Revised 2017 Scope/Standards Documents? (no login) Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) for RDNs in Nutrition Care — Standards Indicators are as follows: 2.10 Pursues opportunities (education, training, credentials, certifications) to advance practice in accordance with laws and regulations, and requirements of practice setting 3.1 Contributes to or leads in development and maintenance of programs/services that address needs of the customer or target population(s) 3.1A Aligns program/service development with the mission, vision, principles, values, and service expectations and outputs of the organization/business 3.1B Uses the needs, expectations, and desired outcomes of the customers/populations (eg, patients/clients, families, community, decision makers, administrators, client organization[s]) in program/service development 3.1C Makes decisions and recommendations that reflect stewardship of time, talent, finances, and environment 3.1D Proposes programs and services that are customer-centered, culturally appropriate, and minimize disparities 3.4 Executes programs/services in an organized, collaborative, cost effective, and customer-centered manner 3.4A Collaborates and coordinates with peers, colleagues, stakeholders, and within interprofessional teams Telehealth and Nutrition Services Tackling Telehealth And Licensure Limitations (Page Four of PDF) — Article from Nutrition Entrepreneurs dietetic practice group. Note: NE DPG members can also take a quiz related to the article. Telehealth for RDNs Quick Guide (no login) — Updated December 22, 2020 TeleHealth: Expanding Options For Providing Nutrition Care And Education — Webinar from Nutrition Entrepreneurs dietetic practice group. Note: The quiz that appears below the webinar is only available for NE DPG members. Webinar : Providing Nutrition Services via Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic COVID-19 Q&A This Q&A section is intended to provide members with information believed to be current and accurate at the time of posting, and will be refined and updated as new information becomes available. (It is not intended as, nor should be construed as, legal, financial, medical, or consulting advice. RDNs and NDTRs should exercise their professional judgment in connection with this information.) ASK A QUESTION Clinical Is there an RDN staffing level for COVID-19 Patients? How do I screen patients for malnutrition during the pandemic? Are RDNs essential workers? Should RDNs wear a face mask? Should RDNs do face-to-face consults? Food Safety and Foodservice Is food delivery to patients in a long-term care facility safe? Should foodservice operations use disposable dishware and utensils? How long can COVID-19 survive on fresh produce? How should foodservice operations handle deliveries from vendors? Food Security and Access How can I get groceries if I am sick? Is there a food shortage? MNT Is vitamin D supplementation an effective therapy for COVID-19? What resources are available for patients recovering from COVID-19? Is zinc supplementation an effective treatment for COVID-19? Are there MNT recommendations for critically ill COVID-19 patients? Is vitamin C supplementation a successful treatment for COVID-19? Is there a shortage of baby formula? Is homemade baby formula safe? Can supplements cure or prevent COVID-19? Scope of Practice Can RDNs and NDTRs administer COVID-19 vaccinations? Can NDTRs perform nutrition care and services via telehealth? Can RDNs perform swab testing for COVID-19? Can RDNs feed patients? Telehealth — Billing and Coding How have MDPP programs changed during the pandemic? Can RDNs bill using online assessment and management services codes? Can a DSMT program under Medicare Part B bill for telehealth? When will CMS stop expanded telehealth coverage? When do I use a GT modifier versus a 95 modifier for DSME and MNT billing? Can long-term care RDNs receive separate reimbursement? How do I bill for MNT provided via telehealth? What address do I bill under? Do all RDNs need an NPI number or can we use the hospital’s number? Will RDNs be paid for MNT via telehealth? What is the rate for MNT for Medicare Part B beneficiaries? Are MNT telehealth rates the same as in-person rates? What are the CPT codes for MNT? Have copayments been waived due to the pandemic? Telehealth — HIPAA Can text messaging be used to communicate with patients or clients? Can RDNs use non-HIPPA compliant communication technologies? Which telehealth platforms are HIPPA-compliant? What consent and privacy notifications need to be provided? Can I use telehealth for services related to bariatric surgery? Telehealth — General Are self-reported weights acceptable? Can I conduct a NFPE via telehealth? Can you provide resources on telehealth etiquette? What if governor orders contradict Medicare guidelines? Does professional liability insurance cover telehealth? Telehealth — Service Delivery Can IBT for obesity be done via telehealth? When is it ok to transition from telehealth back to in-person visits? How should RDNs conduct DSME group programs via telehealth? Can Medicare B beneficiaries receive MNT via telephone? Can RDNs in a FQHC provide MNT via telehealth? Can home health services move to telehealth during the pandemic? Are RDN Medicare providers included in the CMS waiver? Can I use telehealth in an inpatient hospital setting? Can I provide pre-transplant nutrition interventions via telehealth? Is this within my licensure to do telephone assessments in the hospital? Do you have any advice for RDNs who must suddenly switch to telehealth? CORONAVIRUS WEBINARS From their homes to the front lines of COVID-19 care, RDNs from a variety of settings share how they are providing the best possible nutrition care to patients. This webinar and related materials are available to all practitioners through the generosity of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Please consider donating. 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