Changes to inputting diet and fluid orders on Unity and new patient menu – Level 7 easy to chew

July 8, 2024

The previous ‘regular diet’ and ‘dysphagia diet’ orders that can be placed on Unity will be replaced by an all-encompassing “diet and fluids” order, which can be accessed the same way via “request/care plans.”

Between 1.30pm and 3pm on Tuesday, 16 July, all inpatients across all sites will need a new order placed under “diet & fluids” on request/care plans.

At 3pm, the old orders will be removed from Unity, and if new orders aren’t placed, nothing will show on the bed plan.

Meals ordered for evening meal service will not be affected as they will have already been ordered through the iPads.

There will also be an introduction of a new patient menu on Tuesday, 16 July – “Level 7- Easy to Chew”. This will go live on the iPads from 3pm, ready for lunch orders for Wednesday, 17 July. This menu is for patients who are not considered to be at risk of choking but require ‘easier to chew’ options of Level 7 / Regular Diet and cannot select appropriate items from the main menu.

We have developed this separate menu specifically for this patient group to offer more choice and reduce the restrictions of being placed on a Level 6 soft and bite-sized diet when they could manage a Level 7 easy-to-chew diet.

Note: No changes have been made to the ‘Light diet’ order on Unity that is used for some surgical patients

For instructions on how to input the new “diet and fluids” order on Unity, view the Reference Guide

For more information please email ellie.savage1@nhs.net.