Linking Nutrition and Healthcare: Health Professionals Helping Patients Access Vital Nourishment
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In a commendable effort to improve the health of communities, hospitals and health systems across the United States are integrating food as medicine programs into their services. These initiatives, often in conjunction with electronic health records (EHRs), are making a significant impact on the lives of patients with chronic diseases, particularly those suffering from diabetes.
One such example is the Food Farmacy program at Augusta Health in Virginia. Launched in 2018, this prescription produce and educational program has served over 80 patients, aiming to improve their quality of life by managing chronic disease symptoms through nutrition. Education is a key component of the program, with patients meeting weekly with physicians and dietitians to learn about their dietary needs and how to make healthier food choices. Augusta Health also partners with the Allegheny Mountain Institute to run the AMI Farm at Augusta Health, providing fresh produce for the Food Farmacy program.
Similarly, St. Barnabas Hospital in New York City has partnered with Project EATS to establish a farm, greenhouse, and beehives. This initiative serves patients facing food insecurity, diabetes, and hypertension. Participants in the hospital's Food Farmacy program have reported increased energy and significant decreases in A1C levels, a key indicator of blood sugar control. The hospital's whole-person approach, which emphasises social determinants of health, has also documented a significant reduction in body mass index for participating adolescents.
Geisinger, a health system based in Pennsylvania, has expanded its Fresh Food Farmacy program to three brick-and-mortar locations and developed an app that integrates with Epic for scheduling appointments, receiving recipes, connecting with care team members, and monitoring progress. Dietitians and registered nurses from Geisinger's Fresh Food Farmacy can use the EHR to share patients' diabetes progress with primary care physicians and medication therapy management pharmacists. Geisinger has also integrated the social care platform Neighborly into Epic, putting patients' social needs screening information directly into their health records and offering suggestions for local resources.
EHRs play a crucial role in these food as medicine programs by enabling seamless integration and communication between nutrition interventions and healthcare providers. This enhances care coordination and improves health outcomes for patients with chronic diseases. EHRs store comprehensive patient health information accessible in real time, facilitating personalized, evidence-based nutrition prescriptions and monitoring for chronic disease management.
In conclusion, food as medicine programs, backed by electronic health records, are proving to be a powerful tool in improving health outcomes for vulnerable patients, particularly those with chronic diseases. These initiatives not only provide access to fresh, nutritious food but also offer education and support, helping patients manage their conditions and potentially improve their quality of life.
- The integration of technology, such as data and cloud computing, is crucial in food as medicine programs, as it allows for seamless communication between nutrition interventions and healthcare providers, enhancing care coordination and improving health outcomes for patients.
- In addition to providing fresh, nutritious food, these programs also prioritize education and support, equipping patients with knowledge about healthy diets, cooking techniques, and lifestyle changes.
- The Food-and-Drink sector plays a significant role in these initiatives, with hospitals partnering with local food producers to ensure fresh produce is available for patients participating in food as medicine programs.
- The implementation of food as medicine programs represents a shift in the healthcare industry towards a more holistic, lifestyle-focused approach, recognizing the importance of nutrition in managing chronic diseases and overall health and wellness.
