SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Ramadan Dietary Order Quality Improvement Initiative

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This project addressed a gap in inpatient care for Muslim patients observing Ramadan at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). Ramadan is a holy month in Islam during which many Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, which can create nutritional and medical challenges for hospitalized patients. URMC’s existing meal ordering system did not adequately support this need.<br /><br />A multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative was implemented across Strong Memorial Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospital, and Highland Hospital. The team created a Ramadan dietary order set in the EPIC electronic medical record, developed educational materials and staff outreach, and screened patients aged 7 and older during the study period to identify those who might benefit. Eligible patients could receive calorie-enriched meals and fluids during non-fasting hours while still observing daytime fasting if medically appropriate.<br /><br />During the study period, only three Ramadan meal accommodation requests were made: two adults and one pediatric patient. Requests were made mainly in the emergency department and observation unit, and the order set was not used on general medicine floors. The low uptake appeared to be related to limited awareness, patient surprise that the option existed, and the fact that many hospitalized patients are too ill to fast safely. Provider feedback also suggested that timing issues and workflow barriers affected implementation.<br /><br />Overall, the initiative successfully established a culturally sensitive dietary accommodation process for Muslim patients during Ramadan. It demonstrated that multidisciplinary collaboration can create institutional change, improve inclusivity, and better support patients’ social and spiritual needs. Future work may evaluate clinical outcomes such as hypoglycemia, dehydration, and electrolyte abnormalities in patients who use the Ramadan diet order.

Asset Subtitle

Hannah Doyle

Meta Tag

Author List Amy E. Blatt, Conrad Gleber, Dean Salem, Hannah Doyle, Hayley B. Flanagan, Jennifer K. Readlynn, Jessica Oribabor, Julia Trumbo, Kathryn Schneider

Category Innovations

Concept Ramadan

Concept Fasting

Concept Diet Order

Concept Muslim patients

Concept Hospital meal ordering system

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Rochester Medical Center

Presenting Author Hannah Doyle

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

Ramadan

Muslim patients

inpatient care

dietary accommodation

quality improvement

electronic medical record

EPIC

hospital nutrition

culturally sensitive care

multidisciplinary collaboration

Ramadan

Fasting

Diet Order

Muslim patients

Hospital meal ordering system