Getting to the Heart of Malnutrition: Practical Strategies in Cardiac Transplantation

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing healthcare, and dietitians are uniquely positioned to use these tools to strengthen evidence-based practice, improve efficiency, and support better patient care. In this episode of the DNS Podcast, host Christina Rollins sits down with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Keiy Murofushi to explore how clinicians can effectively use AI platforms and open evidence tools in clinical nutrition practice.Together, they discuss what “effective prompting” really means, common mistakes clinicians make when using AI, and practical strategies for accessing and interpreting systematic reviews, practice guidelines, and other evidence-based resources. Keiy also shares insights on balancing efficiency with accuracy, integrating AI into daily workflows, and maintaining ethical and responsible use of these evolving technologies.Whether you are AI-curious or already experimenting with these tools, this episode offers practical guidance to help dietitians confidently navigate the future of nutrition support and evidence-based care.

Malnutrition is more than a diagnosis. It is a critical factor influencing outcomes, recovery, and survival, especially in cardiac transplant patients. In this episode of the DNS Podcast, we focus on identifying and treating malnutrition in patients with advanced heart failure and those undergoing heart transplantation. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential to support metabolic stability, optimize surgical outcomes, and improve recovery. Host Christina Rollins is joined by Lena Beal, RDN, a nationally recognized critical care dietitian with over 25 years of experience in high acuity nutrition support. With deep expertise in heart failure and transplant nutrition, Lena shares practical, real world strategies for managing some of the most complex patients in clinical care.In this episode, you will learn:How to recognize early signs of malnutrition in cardiac transplant patientsHow to assess nutrition status when intake data is limited or unreliableApproaches to micronutrient deficiencies in high risk cardiac populationsStrategies to support patients before and after transplantation How to advocate for nutrition as a priority within the multidisciplinary teamThis conversation reinforces an essential message. Nutrition support is not supportive care. It is lifesaving medicine.

In this episode of the DNS Podcast, we explore ostomy care and nutrition support with Kaitlyn Batista, RDN, CNSC. From understanding the differences between ileostomies and colostomies to managing high-output ileostomies, Kaitlyn shares practical strategies to prevent complications and support long-term success. The conversation highlights key nutrition considerations, patient education across the care continuum, and the role of enteral and parenteral nutrition. Listeners will also gain insight into interdisciplinary collaboration and how dietitians can improve outcomes and quality of life for patients living with ostomies.Learn more at dnsdpg.org

In this special DNS Podcast episode, we spotlight the transition of leadership within the Dietitians in Nutrition Support practice group. Join us as we chat with outgoing Chair Beth Peterson, RDN, and incoming Chair Austin Webb, RDN, as they reflect on the journey of leadership, share lessons learned, and look ahead to the future of DNS. From advancing clinical excellence to strengthening member engagement and shaping the next generation of dietitians, this conversation highlights both the challenges and opportunities that come with leading a dynamic professional community.You’ll hear:• Beth’s reflections on her time as Chair and the impact of her leadership• Key accomplishments and challenges that shaped her tenure• Austin’s vision for the future of DNS and priorities for the year ahead• Insights on how clinicians can get involved and grow within the fieldWhether you are a seasoned nutrition support professional or just getting started, this episode offers inspiration, perspective, and a call to action. Learn more at dnsdpg.org.

In this episode, we’re breaking down the upcoming transition to ICD-11 and what it means for documenting and diagnosing adult malnutrition, soon to be termed undernutrition, beginning in 2027.Developed by the World Health Organization, ICD codes shape how conditions are defined, documented, and reimbursed worldwide. With ICD-11, adult undernutrition will align with the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) framework, meaning clinicians and organizations need to start preparing now, including EMR updates in 2026.Joining us is Stacy Pelekhaty from the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center. We discuss what’s changing, documentation and reimbursement implications, practical preparation steps, and how this shift strengthens the value of nutrition care.Learn more at dnsdpg.org.

Feeding critically ill patients is anything but simple. Between proning, sedation, procedures, and constant interruptions, nutrition support in the ICU often falls short, despite strong evidence and best intentions.In our latest DNS Podcast episode, Christina Rollins is joined by Susy Cohen, a critical care dietitian who has led measurable improvements in enteral and parenteral nutrition through practical, protocol-driven, interdisciplinary approaches.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:• Feeding prone patients• Early enteral nutrition for intubated patients• Rate-based feeding to improve adequacy• Collaborating with pharmacy to ensure appropriate PN useIf you work in critical care nutrition—or want strategies that actually work at the bedside—this episode is for you.🔗 Learn more at dnsdpg.org

The latest DNS Podcast episode features Anisha Chhibber, MS, RDN, CNSC, FAND, and highlights what it takes to bring indirect calorimetry from concept to clinical practice.In this episode, Christina Rollins speaks with Anisha about her mini-grant journey, implementing indirect calorimetry at her institution, developing policies and procedures, coordinating vendor and interdisciplinary training, and collaborating with respiratory therapy to educate staff. They also explore how bedside implementation can evolve into abstract submission, ongoing skill development, and future research—particularly in the surgical ICU population.This conversation showcases how dietitians lead meaningful, sustainable change through education, collaboration, and practice-based innovation.🔗 Learn more at dnsdpg.org

Stem cell transplant patients face significant GI challenges that make nutrition support complex—and critical. In this episode, I’m joined by Katie Harper, MS, RD, CNSC, an expert in oncology and blood and marrow transplant nutrition, to break down best practices for transitioning patients from parenteral nutrition (PN) to enteral nutrition (EN).We cover:• When nutrition support is needed during transplant• Key challenges with PN• How to assess readiness for EN• Practical strategies for successful PN-to-EN transitions• The importance of interdisciplinary collaborationA must-listen for dietitians and clinicians supporting stem cell transplant patients.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Malnutrition in hospitalized patients is common, costly, and often missed—especially in those with complex disease states. In this episode, we take a clinically focused look at how dietitians can better identify malnutrition in liver disease and why early, accurate diagnosis matters for patient outcomes.Our guest is Dr. Janette Hasse, a nationally recognized expert in critical care and transplant nutrition, FNCE presenter, longtime Editor-in-Chief of Nutrition in Clinical Practice, award-winning clinician, and leader of a large transplant nutrition team. With more than four decades of experience, she breaks down the evidence and real-world considerations shaping malnutrition diagnosis today.We discuss:✔ Why patients with liver disease are uniquely vulnerable to malnutrition✔ Limitations of traditional assessment methods in complex populations✔ The emerging role of CT imaging for body composition analysis✔ How updated GLIM criteria and terminology changes are impacting practice✔ Confusion around using AAIM vs GLIM and how clinicians can navigate both✔ Practical documentation strategies for care and reimbursement✔ Actionable clinical pearls for bedside dietitiansWhether you work inpatient, outpatient, transplant, GI, or critical care, this episode offers insight into how dietitians can strengthen the diagnostic process and advocate for better nutrition care.Listen now and access additional resources at dnsdpg.org.

Disclosure: Brittney Patterson is employed by HealthLeap, an AI Malnutrition start-up. Have you ever wondered how artificial intelligence is changing the way dietitians work in hospitals and critical care? In this episode of the DNS Podcast, host Christina Rollins sits down with Brittney Patterson, MS, RD-AP, CNSC, a seasoned clinician and nutrition informatics expert.Brittney shares her decade-plus experience in critical care and nutrition support, and how she now helps dietitians harness AI and EHR data to:Quickly identify and prioritize malnourished patientsStreamline workflows for faster, safer careEnhance clinical decision-making without replacing the dietitian’s expertiseFrom her innovative work at Stanford Health Care to her role at HealthLeap, Brittney bridges the gap between clinical practice and cutting-edge technology, showing how AI can truly empower dietitians and improve patient outcomes.Whether you’re a dietitian curious about informatics, a healthcare professional navigating AI integration, or simply fascinated by the future of clinical nutrition, this episode is packed with insights, real-world examples, and practical takeaways.Continue learning today at www.dnsdpg.org!