The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just released a memorandum (QSSAM-26-03) for Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals as a reminder that organizations are to ensure compliance with the Conditions of Participation at 42 CFR §482.28, that ensures that organizational menus and diets meet individual patient nutritional needs in accordance with recognized dietary practices, qualified dietitian oversight, maintenance of a current therapeutic diet manual, and integration of dietary services into Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) processes. This emphasis is to remind organizations that they must comply with the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 (DGAs) that was release on January 7, 2026, which place heightened emphasis on diet quality. As consistent with 42 CFR §482.28 and CMS guidance, hospitals should review and revise food and nutrition service policies, standard menus, therapeutic diet protocols, and food procurement practices to align with the 2025–2030 DGAs. Follow this link to the memo: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qssam-26-03-hospital-cah-original-release-2026-03-30.pdf
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