Clinical nutrition is not merely the provision of food. It is an essential part of the comprehensive treatment regimen. On August 18, 2025, the Ministry of Health issued Decision No. 2598/QĐ-BYT. This decision prescribes the “Guidelines on technical procedures for Clinical Nutrition”. Below are the core points that medical staff need to master.

1. The importance of standardizing nutritional processes

According to Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food”. Reality shows that malnourished patients often experience delayed wound healing. They are also prone to immune deficiency and increased treatment costs. Readmission and mortality rates are also significantly higher. The issuance of this document affirms that nutrition must be integrated with medical examination and treatment activities. This helps optimize treatment efficacy through methodical processes.

2. Overview of 36 professional technical procedures

The document accompanying Decision 2598/QĐ-BYT includes 36 technical procedures. These procedures comprehensively cover from screening to nutritional intervention.

a. Screening and assessment of nutritional status

This is an important step to detect malnutrition risk early. Screening tools include NRS-2002 and MST for inpatients. For outpatients, doctors use the MUST tool. For pediatrics, the tools used are STRONG-kids and STAMP. Anthropometric techniques include measuring weight, height, and BMI. Additionally, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is measured for various ages. In-depth techniques include measuring subcutaneous fat and assessing muscle mass. Staff also perform energy metabolism measurement and body composition analysis.

b. Establishing therapeutic nutritional regimens

The procedure guides in detail how to set up menus for each subject. Experts build diets for patients with simple or combined pathologies. Preoperative nutrition is implemented according to the ERAS program. Transplant patients also have separate nutrition procedures. The document also guides the calculation of energy composition for tube feeding. Techniques for total or supplemental parenteral nutrition are also clearly prescribed.

c. Processing and intervention techniques

Processing techniques are standardized for optimal patient absorption. Techniques for liquefying and thickening food support people with swallowing disorders. This helps patients eat orally safely. The process also includes preparing milk for children according to each month of age. Finally, the technique of mixing sterile parenteral nutrition bags.

3. Implementation time

This guideline officially applies at medical facilities from July 1, 2026. This is an important buffer period for units to update knowledge. Facilities need to prepare necessary resources and infrastructure. Synchronous deployment will ensure food safety and treatment quality.

Reference source: Decision No. 2598/QĐ-BYT dated August 18, 2025, of the Minister of Health promulgating the professional document “Guidelines on technical procedures for Clinical Nutrition”.

MSc. Le Viet Anh – Deputy Director of Center for Support & Continuing Education