10 min.
September 3, 2024
Accurate food data can save lives
Text:
Karen Gahrn
Photo:
Aalborg University Hospital
Around half of the patients admitted to Aalborg University Hospital are at nutritional risk. Improper nutrition can lead to complications, longer hospitalizations and, in the worst case, death.
Anne Kathrine Larsen is a research and innovation officer at Aalborg University Hospital and works in the important intersection where food and nutrition are linked.
- My job might be to create a new menu plan or look at the quality of snacks. We cook for 900 people every day. On average, we have 40-60 people who are on a dietary diet, for example allergies to gluten or shellfish. But we also cook for patients with swallowing difficulties or patients who are at nutritional risk for other reasons.
That's why GS1 data is super important to us, so we don't have to constantly monitor whether a certain food has increased or decreased in protein because a manufacturer has made changes.
GS1 ensures correct data
When a patient is admitted, they are nutritionally screened and data is recorded in the medical record.
- Along the way, we record how much the patient eats. If we have incorrect information about protein content, for example, we register incorrectly. That's why correct food data is crucial," says Anne Kathrine Larsen.
Today, the information comes from the GS1Trade Sync database, making it possible for Anne Kathrine Larsen and her colleagues to know exactly what a food contains.
And GS1Trade Exact validates supplier data.
- We have built the system with rules from legislation and industry so that the data is correct. It can be a matter of life or death for patients that they get the right diet," says Nikolaj Brink Laursen from GS1 Denmark.
When a patient is admitted, they are nutritionally screened and data is recorded in the medical record.
- Along the way, we record how much the patient eats. If we have incorrect information about protein content, for example, we register incorrectly. That's why correct food data is crucial," says Anne Kathrine Larsen.
Today, the information comes from the GS1Trade Sync database, making it possible for Anne Kathrine Larsen and her colleagues to know exactly what a food contains.
And GS1Trade Exact validates supplier data.
- We have built the system with rules from legislation and industry so that the data is correct. It can be a matter of life or death for patients that they get the right diet," says Nikolaj Brink Laursen from GS1 Denmark.
New system makes everyday life more efficient
Aalborg University Hospital is the first hospital in Denmark to implement a kitchen management system that can receive data directly from the patient record and send data back to the medical record about dietary registrations.
- That's why data from GS1 is super important to us, so we don't have to constantly keep an eye on whether a certain food has increased or decreased in protein because a manufacturer has made changes," explains Anne Kathrine Larsen.
The system, supplied by Matilda FoodTech, is being rolled out gradually and will be fully implemented when the hospital moves to the new super hospital in Aalborg East.
Until now, hospital staff have used lookup values from food databases with an average of what a food contains. But now the information comes via Matilda FoodTech from GS1Trade Sync, where suppliers enter information about individual foods.
- This means that the dietitians who register the patient's diet can get correct data to register on. Until now, they have used average values and they have registered on paper," explains Anne Kathrine Larsen.
FROM GS1 TO THE PATIENT
- A supplier (e.g. Kohberg) creates food data in GS1Trade Sync.
- Kohberg sends the product to GS1Trade Exact, which checks the physical product against data in GS1Trade Sync.
- A wholesaler (e.g. Dansk Cater) receives data from GS1Trade Sync.
- The wholesaler sells the product on to Aalborg University Hospital, for example.
- Matilda Foodtech builds data systems for e.g. nutritional calculations. They also receive data from GS1Trade Sync and distribute data and dietary calculation systems to public institutions such as Aalborg University Hospital.
- Aalborg University Hospital receives data and uses food data in their new kitchen management system for the benefit of the individual patient.
Mistakes can have serious consequences
Aalborg University Hospital has a raw material database with approximately 2,000 food products, which until now has been maintained manually. This is now digitized with GS1Trade Sync, saving time and ensuring accurate food data.
- When we are completely ready with the new system, we will have precise data on every meal served to patients," says Anne Kathrine Larsen.
The system makes it easier to customize nutrition.
- For example, I can see that Mrs. Jensen in the Pulmonary Medicine Department needs 1,200 calories and 60g of protein. If she only eats 25%, the hospital can quickly adjust her diet or offer nutritional products where accurate data is crucial.
Assessments used to be more uncertain, but now accurate data ensures proper nutrition - and can ultimately prevent serious errors.
Anne Kathrine Larsen can't give specific examples, but she has experienced what in the hospital world is called an "adverse event".
THE SIX STEPS OF AALBORG UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL'S NEW KITCHEN CLEANING SYSTEM
- The patient is hospitalized.
- The patient's nutritional screening and nutrition plan are recorded.
- The patient chooses meals based on the nutrition plan.
- The kitchen produces, packages and ships the food to the patient.
- The food is served during regular meals.
- The dietitian or patient registers the diet.
