It’s amazing how quickly the field of nutrition is advancing.

Just a few weeks ago the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics successfully passed a U.S. bill allowing Registered Dietitians to… hold your breath… approve diet orders!

I know, I know, what’s the big deal right?

Well, in the nutrition world, THIS IS HUGE!

See for years RD’s have been trying to “take out the middle man” so to speak and give the clinical nutrition experts the right to change a patients diet. This may seem like a minor annoyance, but the difference between a properly fed patient and an improperly one often takes around 2-3 days to correct in the current setup.

I don’t want to focus any negative feelings towards RN’s as I absolutely respect the profession, but their Union is one to be reckoned with. For nearly a decade the nurses union has shot down RD attempts to streamline the clinical nutrition process, in fear of having job duties taken out of their control. In reality, this new legislation encourages even stronger communication between the professions, more efficient medical care, and more informed nutritional care.

On a scale of 1 to 100, it’s one small step for healthcare, one giant leap for Dietitians.

If you remember back to my Future Dietitian post you’ll recall me saying that clinical RDs are primed to step into an insurance reimbursable profession. Each disease can be met with a specific plan of care, education, or diet. This only furthers that vision.

For both RDs and patients alike, this can only mean more specific, more timely care. And that, is something I think we can all agree on.

Be good to each other, this is a milestone.

– Joshua Iufer, RD