Data Analysis Outside of Clinical Practice: An Innovative Application of the Nutrition Care Process and Model

The use of data analysis in nutrition practice is essential. The specific goal of analysis dictates what type of data should be collected, how it should be analyzed, and how results should be implemented. This paper explores different ways that practitioners collect, analyze, and use data, for the benefit of the client, customer, and overall organization in nonclinical settings. Using the Nutrition Care Process and Model (NCPM) as a template, a practitioner can Assess the situation, Diagnose the problem, create Interventions, and Monitor and Evaluate the results regardless of their setting, using a range of data. The collection of data, whether through organizational surveys, comment cards, or focus groups, or extrapolated from national registries, is beneficial to the profession because the data allow for measurable evaluation of interventions implemented through evidence-based analysis. The experiences of different industry professionals are documented herein, providing examples of ways they add value to their organizations and how they use data to drive overall improvement.