Salem Hospital is a 454-bed, level II hospital which employees twelve dietitians and three registered dietetic technicians (DTR). The average case load is approximately 10-12 patients per day. As a dietetic intern, I rotated through Med Surg/Observation, Renal, Oncology, Intensive Critical Care Unit (ICU), Neurotrauma Intensive Care Unit (NTCU), Intermediate Critical Care Unit (IMCU), Cardiovascular Critical Care Unit (CVCU) and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). I also spent time in the outpatient setting and the inpatient rehabilitation center. During my two weeks as a staff relief dietitian, I covered the NTCU and Med Surg/Observation. 



Some of the projects I completed at this rotation include: 

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• Completed a major case study: My most enjoyable and challenging rotation was the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and after spending two days shadowing the dietitian and completing practice equations, she allowed me to begin conducting nutrition assessments on the patients. Apparently most interns do not chart and simply shadow her position for the week, however she stated I was extremely adept and learned quickly. During this week, I found my case study, a 26-week year old who developed several health complications which influenced his nutrition status. I followed his care for 4 weeks after I left the unit and provided a 60 minute presentation on his care to the dietitians of Salem Hospital. 

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• Followed a Celiac Diet for 7-days and summarized: Each intern was assigned a different diet to follow, which we had to log the food we ate and provide a written summary of our experience. 





• Completed a Clinical Management Project: I evaluated JCAHO's standards for clinical staffing methods to evaluate for clinical staffing and how Salem Hospital met these goals. 





• Reviewed MNT codes and calculated billing costs: I conducted a review of the ADA and CMS codes and calculated the amount of revenue that theoretically would be received for reimbusable MNT services based on an annualized volume of services posted for Salem Hospital Outpatient services provided. 





• Conducted nutrition assessments in the inpatient and outpatient setting and provided nutrition interventions and follow-up appointments: Sample notes to be updated.