When you or your loved ones are in the hospital it can be overwhelming and stressful. You may feel unsure about speaking up and asking questions or sharing information with your healthcare team. But research indicates that up to 70% of patient harm events are due to communication breakdowns, and most people don’t realize how much power they have in managing their own care—and how understanding their rights and speaking up can truly make a life-saving difference.

Tune into this episode to learn about:

● understanding your healthcare consumer rights

● taking charge of your own healthcare

● how to help a loved one in the hospital

● staying safe in the healthcare system

● tools to navigate the healthcare system

● how families and patients can speak up when they feel intimidated or reluctant

● the 3 “P”s and “CUSS” words to empower conversations

● stories and examples of healthcare harm that can impact patient safety

● how to choose the best hospital for the safest care

● resources including a free patient safety checklist

Full shownotes, transcript and resources: https://soundbitesrd.com/285

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40% of American adults have obesity, costing the U.S. healthcare system an estimated $173 billion annually. The development of incretin-based therapies, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), marks a major advance in obesity treatment. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) play a crucial role in providing medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to people using these medications as part of comprehensive obesity care.

Tune into this episode to learn about:

● the new paper published in JAND about injectable weight loss medications and lifestyle interventions

● the unique and evolving role of RDNs in obesity care

● why this new class of obesity medications has become so popular

● how these medications work

● the amount of weight loss needed to reduce obesity related comorbidities

● the evolution of different terms for these medications

● the pipeline of obesity medications we will see in the next few years

● how these medications have impacted the role of RDNs in counseling patients

● common side effects and nutritional considerations

● concerns about loss of muscle mass and bone density

● the importance of and role of exercise while taking these medications

● emotional aspects of significant weight loss in a short time

● how RDNs can be utilized in comprehensive obesity care in the long term

● how RDNs can stay informed and up to date on the medications and obesity care in general

● when people taking these medications should be referred to RDNs

● how working with an RDN can improve a person’s experience and outcomes

● additional information and resources for the public and health professionals

Full shownotes, transcript and resources: https://soundbitesrd.com/284

How safe are the food dyes found in many of the products we consume daily? Are concerns about their effects based on scientific evidence or misinformation? With government agencies and researchers continuously evaluating these additives, what changes might we see if more regulations and bans are put in place? As food products evolve in response to shifting policies, how can consumers stay informed and make the best choices for themselves?

Tune into this episode to learn about:

● What types of foods/beverages contain food colors and why

● Artificial vs. natural food dyes

● What the research shows about the safety of food dyes

● Common myths and misconceptions about food dyes

● Challenges in making food color changes or product reformulations

● The California food dye acts

● Red dye number 3

● The differences and similarities between the US and EU approach to risk management

● The truth about the differences between what the EU has banned compared to the US

● The difference between hazard and risk and why it is important

● A new food additives toolkit from IFT

● Takeaways and resources for the public and health professionals

Full shownotes, transcript and resources: https://soundbitesrd.com/283