P704 - PATIENT’S EXPERIENCE OF USING A COMMUNAL DINING SPACE IN TYMON NORTH REHABILITATION UNIT: A PILOT PROJECT

P704

PATIENT’S EXPERIENCE OF USING A COMMUNAL DINING SPACE IN TYMON NORTH REHABILITATION UNIT: A PILOT PROJECT

E. Duffy¹, M. Curtis¹, S. Feehan^1,*

¹Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Rationale: The ‘Mealtimes Matter’ framework and best practise guidelines (BPGs) emphasise the importance of providing adequate mealtime assistance, a pleasant dining environment, and shared mealtimes for older adults in institutionalised settings. A ‘Mealtimes Matter’ audit completed in Tymon North showed poor compliance with the provision of mealtime assistance to patients. The study aims were to pilot a communal dining room initiative in order to better align with BPGs, and to assess patients’ experience of the dining room.

Methods: Data was collected over three weeks in May 2024. Patients were invited to attend the dining room each day. Mealtime observations were completed by the dietetic therapy assistant. Qualitative data on patient’s experience were collected in a separate interview and analysed by a dietitian.

Results: In total, 26 patients attended the dining room during the study period and 16 patients provided feedback. The mean age was 81 years old (range 63 – 91 years); 62% of attendees were female (n=16). Two main themes emerged from the qualitative data: the significance of the social aspect of dining, and the impact of environment and ambience on mealtime experience. Almost all patients (94%) reported enjoying eating in the company of others, describing the dining room atmosphere as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. Most patients (82%) expressed preference for communal dining. All attendees reported receiving adequate mealtime assistance in the dining room, whilst only 64% reported having enough help when eating in their room. One-third (35%) of patients reported disliking eating in their bedrooms, citing reasons such as loneliness and inadequate assistance. 

Conclusion: The introduction of a communal dining room in Tymon North allowed better alignment with BPGs by supporting the provision of adequate mealtime assistance, a pleasant dining environment and shared mealtimes for patients.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared