Validation of Nutrition Standardized Language—Next Steps

To provide a model for quality care and outcomes management, the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) and standardized language were introduced in 2003 by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The standardized language, published in the International Dietetics & Nutrition Terminology (IDNT) Reference Manual: Standardized Language for the Nutrition Care Process, is designed to facilitate communication, improve care, and close the gap in health care quality. When registered dietitians (RDs) are oriented to a nutrition care process, improvement in their documentation of nutrition care occurs. Since the introduction of the NCP and standardized language, RDs and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs), have begun to adopt the process and language into their practice. This article explains why validation of the standardized language is needed to make the language accurate and meaningful for practice and describes how validation is conducted using RDs