Improvement and validation of the content of instruments to evaluate quality of hospital diets

Abstract

Introduction: The assessment of the quality of hospital diets can contribute to better acceptance of the patients. Objective: The study aimed to improve and validate the content of instruments for assessing the quality of hospital diets. Methods: Study developed at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro to improve the form used for inspection of the supply of meals. To include all dimensions of quality, the form was divided into two instruments, for evaluation of sensory quality (ESQ) and hygienic and sanitary quality (EHQ), and its content was submitted to validation through a panel of experts using the Delphi technique adapted. Once approved, the instruments were applied to 12 menus of the two large meals to assess conformities. The study was approved by the institution's Ethics and Research Committee. Results: For both ESQ and EHQ, the items related to “presentation/design”, “semantic clarity”, “easy to understand” and “easy to fill in” obtained agreement in the first round. A second round was necessary to readjust the “capacity to assess hygienic and sanitary quality” in both instruments. After obtaining 91.7% of agreement for ESQ and 90.1% for EHQ, the instruments were considered validated. The mean rest index was 22%; large meals obtained higher percentages of waste (32.4%) than small meals (10.6% -21.5%). For the menus of the large meals that presented “non-conformities” for weight, texture, appearance, flavor and temperature, corrective measures were requested. Conclusion: The non-conformities observed in large meals may explain the high leftover index, compared to small meals. It is expected that the routine application of the instruments may contribute to a better dietary assessment of hospitalized patients and reduce the risk of malnutrition. After adaptations, other food and nutrition units can use these instruments to assess the dimensions of the quality of the provided meals.