A dietitian is an essential member of the wound treatment team, not a luxury. Malnutrition exists in 30-50% of chronic wound patients — correcting it noticeably accelerates healing.
Dietitian's Role:
- Nutritional assessment: Evaluates weight, BMI, dietary history, blood tests (albumin, pre-albumin) — determines presence and degree of malnutrition.
- Calculating needs: Wound patients need more calories and protein than healthy individuals — calculations differ by wound size, number, and healing stage.
- Designing dietary plan: Practical plan fitting patient's culture and financial ability — not an ideal plan that can't be implemented.
- Dietary supplements: Recommends high-calorie protein supplements (Ensure, Fortisip) and vitamins (C, D, Zinc) when needed.
- Special cases: Diabetic patients need balance between high protein and carbohydrate control. Kidney patients have protein restrictions.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we assess nutrition at every initial assessment and coordinate with dietitians for complex cases.