Benson Hospital Nutrition - Benson, Arizona


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Nutrition Inpatient Services

Proper nutrition is essential to good health. Good nutrition is necessary to prevent and/or control disease, foster good weight and promote healing. The purpose of Benson Hospital Nutrition Services is to optimize the nutritional intake of hospitalized patients to meet their food and nutrition needs during their hospitalization:

· Each patient who is admitted to the hospital is assessed by the Registered Dietitian.

· The Dietitian interviews the patient and/or family to determine current food likes, dislikes, allergies and any special requests, as well as any chewing or swallowing difficulties.

· An individual nutrition plan is developed based upon current food preferences and medical nutritional needs.

· Patients are reassessed throughout the hospital stay and the nutrition plan is updated, as needed.

· The Registered Dietitian continually confers with the nursing staff and physician regarding any current problems and/or nutritional needs.

· In addition, the Registered Dietitian provides diet counseling for hospitalized patients with special medical nutritional needs.

Hospital Patient Meal Hours

Breakfast is served at 8:00 am
Lunch is served at 12:00 pm
Dinner is served at 5:30 pm

We do offer a guest tray for a family member to be served in the patient’s room, as needed.

Cafeteria Meal Hours

Breakfast is served from 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Lunch is served from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Dinner is served from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Nutrition Outpatient Services

Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medical Nutrition Therapy is a service which a Registered Dietitian (RD) provides. MNT is nutrition counseling tailored to a disease, condition and/or lifestyle that will improve your health. It includes:

An individualized visit with the Registered Dietitian to review the eating and lifestyle habits, as well as medical information, such as medical history, laboratory values, blood glucose readings, anthropometric measurements, etc.
Education provided by the Registered Dietitian regarding individualized diet and nutritional plans designed to meet the lifestyle and medical conditions.
Follow up visits by the Registered Dietitian will be scheduled, as needed, to monitor the progress and continue nutrition counseling and education.

Benefits of Medical Nutrition Therapy

Manage your disease or condition
Minimize medical complications
Reduce medication use
Reduce hospital admissions and doctors visits
Improve overall quality of life

Medical Nutrition Therapy Services Provided

The Registered Dietitian provides individualized medical nutrition therapy for all age groups for a variety of medical conditions, but not limited to:

Diabetes Mellitus
Heart Disease
Kidney Disease
Liver Disease
Pancreatic Disease
Gallbladder Disease
Gastrointestional Disorders
Tube Feedings
Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
Planned Weight Gain Program
Food allergies
Food Intolerances
Pre/Post Gastric By Pass or Lap Band Surgery
Weight Management
General Nutrition

The Registered Dietitian regularly consults with the primary care physician (PCP) regarding patient’s specific medical problems and nutrition goals, as needed.

How to Schedule Appointment with a Registered Dietitian

Contact your Primary Care Physician for a referral and written prescription to see a Registered Dietitian for your specific diagnosis, condition, and/or general nutrition needs.
Medicare will pay for three hours per calendar year for a Registered Dietitian to discuss diabetes, cardiac disease, pre-dialysis (kidney failure not on dialysis) and obesity with Medicare patients.
Contact Benson Hospital at 520-586-2261, ext 256 to make an appointment with the Registered Dietitian.

If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to contact Marilyn Hendricks, MS, RD, Director of Nutrition Services/Clinical Dietitian.