How long should food record charts be kept?
The menu choices available as well as a patient’s symptoms combine to determine the length of time information needs to be recorded to provide a meaningful and accurate assessment of intake. Some research suggests that information should be collected over at least seven days in order to estimate protein and energy intake to within +/-10% (Bingham, 1987). A preferred approach is to ask that food intake is recorded for two to three days and then repeating this at a later time. It is considered acceptable (or even preferred in some situations), where patients are willing and able, for them to complete food record charts themselves, rather than staff. However, the nurse is clearly accountable for allowing the delegation of this work. The nurse, patient and dietitian need to negotiate this activity and the patient will need to be taught and supervised. If the information contained in the food record chart is in sufficient detail, it can be used to: – Determine nutritional intake; – Assess a
