Nutrition Services
- Requests for food/beverages for patients after hours are at the Nursing Supervisor’s discretion & availability.
- All food/beverages removed from the kitchen should be logged onto the Formula Room Log located in the Formula Room. Include the patient’s name, room & food/beverage given.
- The Network of Care purple snack bags are available in the Supervisor office in a bin under the desk. Some units also have these bags available.
- After hours spaghetti meals are stocked in unit pantry refrigerators available for after hour admissions.
Formula Preparation
Formula Policy: Formula Preparation Storage and Use
- The formula room is located in the kitchen & requires badge access.
- Formula is mixed in the kitchen using aseptic technique.
- Formula request after hours are to be for new formula orders.
- After receiving a request for formula determine if there is a suitable premade formula that can be used overnight. A request for a higher caloric formula for a patient who currently receives formula is to be submitted during the day not after hours.
- Confirm the physician order.
- Look up the recipe of the formula in the Formula Room Binder & write it on the label. Include the patient’s name, MRN & room number.
- Log the request onto the Formula Room Log & include the patient’s name, room number & reason the formula was needed after hours.
- Don hair net & beard net if needed. Wash hands, don yellow gown & gloves.
- Gather supplies: refrigerated sterile water, powder/liquid concentrate formula, measuring cylinders to measure liquids, spoon, can opener, funnel, magnetic stirrer & large cylinder to mix the formula in.
- Mix always at least 480ml.
- Measure the water & add it to the large cylinder with the magnetic stirrer inside. Empty the remaining water from the bottle & save the it to put the formula in once complete.
- Measure the concentrated liquid formula using the measured cylinder. Measure the formula powder using the digital scale ensuring that you first zero it out after you place an empty cup on it to hold the powder.
- Turn on the magnetic stirrer. Slowly add the formula to the sterile water while it is spinning rapidly to avoid clumping.
- Once completely mixed use the funnel to transfer the formula to the empty sterile water bottle.
- Label the container using the formula label.
- Transport the formula to the unit using the cooler provided in the formula room.
- Formula Tech hours are 0730-1400.
- Extra formula supplies are available the room in the back of the kitchen.