Individual and contextual factors in the Swedish Nutrition Care Process Terminology implementation

Background Standardised terminologies and classification systems play an increasingly important role in the continuous work towards high quality patient care. Currently, a standardised terminology for nutrition care, the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) Terminology (NCPT), is being implemented across the world, with terms for four steps: Nutrition Assessment (NA), Nutrition Diagnosis (ND), Nutrition Intervention (NI) and Nutrition Monitoring and Evaluation (NME).Objective To explore associations between individual and contextual factors and implementation of a standardised NCPT among Swedish dietitians.Method A survey was completed by 226 dietitians, focussing on: (a) NCPT implementation level; (b) individual factors; and (c) contextual factors. Associations between these factors were explored through a two-block logistic regression analysis.Results Contextual factors such as intention from management to implement the NCPT (OR (odds ratio) ND 15.0, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 3.9-57.4, NME 3.7, 95% CI 1.1-13.0) and electronic health record (EHR) headings from the NCPT (OR NI 3.6, 95% CI 1.4-10.7, NME 3.8, 95% CI 1.1-11.5) were associated with higher implementation. A positive attitude towards the NCPT (model 1 OR ND 3.8, 95% CI 1.5-9.8, model 2 OR ND 5.0, 95% CI 1.4-17.8) was also associated with higher implementation, while other individual factors showed less association.Conclusion Contextual factors such as intention from management, EHR structure, and pre-defined terms and headings are key to implementation of a standardised terminology for nutrition and dietetic care.Implications for practice Clinical leadership and technological solutions should be considered key areas in future NCPT implementation strategies.