International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI)
Starting May 12, 2022, all dietary orders entered into EPIC will follow the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI).
IDDSI is a global movement to standardize diets and increase safety measures for dysphagia patients.
Using an eight-tiered pyramid, caregivers are now specify the type of food a patient should receive based on texture and thickness. To see the 8 levels of IDDSI for patients of all ages and cultures in the inpatient and outpatient setting, click on the chart to the right.
Understanding IDDSI Terminology: A Comparison of New and Old Terminology
The IDDSI framework consists of a continuum of eight levels (0-7), where liquids are measured from Levels 0-4 and foods are measured from Levels 3-7.
When placing order after May 12, 2022, you will notice the use of the following terms, which replace the National Dysphagia Diet (NDD).
All team members should become familiar with this terminology, as it has been adopted by our nutrition care manual and is needed to place orders within EPIC across all UMMS facilities. For a detailed summary of new terms, click here.
Note: Level 1 (slightly thick substances) will not be used as orders for pediatric formula is not based upon thickness.
Aligning IDDSI and Food Labels
To increase safety, commercially prepared foods will also include colored food labels on packaging to align with each level of the IDDSI pyramid. This is a great way to double check meal orders before they are administered to patients. See examples below.
Tip Sheets & Educational Resources
Questions?
For additional questions, contact Alison Winter-Lai at Alison.WinterLai@umm.edu.