The CCI Nutrition Core provides research diets, nutrition intake data collection and analysis, and patient nutrition assessment using a variety of modalities for research studies conducted through the CCI inpatient, outpatient, and extended off-site facilities. Services are provided in accordance with research study and design, protocol orders and participant requirements.
The Nutrition Core of the CCI is comprised of registered dietitians, diet technicians and metabolic nutrition technicians. As the CCI nutrition research manager, Janis Swain, MS, RD directs the CCI Nutrition Core, which includes protocol design, grant writing, and implementation; participant clinical care; and food service administration.
1. Assistance in writing grant proposals, developing research design, and budget projection for nutrition services.
2. House, therapeutic and research diets
- House Diets – In protocols for which energy, nutrients, or specific foods are not controlled, the diet order may be “House.” Subjects may choose meals off a self-selected menu or receive a standard meal.
- Therapeutic Diets: Therapeutic diets (diabetic, renal, HTN, etc) may be incorporated into house and/or research diets. For protocols that do not control nutrients, hospital protocol determines from which therapeutic menu a subject may choose. For research diets, the dietitian calculates diets in alignment with both the study diet order and the applicable therapeutic diet.
- Research Diets: We encourage all new CCI investigators to discuss their study requirements with the CCI dietitians to review study design and needs.
- Controlled nutrient diets. Diets are calculated to meet specific nutrient levels defined by the research protocol. Diets can be controlled for macronutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat) and/or micronutrients (sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc.), glycemic index, or other study specifications. In order to maintain an exact nutrient intake, subjects must finish all food provided to them. No additional food or beverage intake is allowed.
Controlled nutrient diets may be implemented in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. As outpatients, participants may eat a supervised meal on site Monday through Friday or all food may be packed “to go” with food pick ups 3 times per week. Other feeding combinations may be study specific.
Research diets may be specific and consist of the same foods for a dietary intervention or food choices may be individualized to the subject. Two to seven menu cycles are calculated, depending upon the period of time the participant is following the diet intervention. Most diets are customized to meet a subject's individual caloric requirements based on height, weight and exercise habits. General nutritional principles are encouraged for all subjects participating in research studies. For controlled nutrient diets, study-specific foods are frequently procured and prepared. Most foods are individually weighed and prepared according to established metabolic procedures. Subjects are required to eat all food. Leftovers are strongly discouraged and may be weighed back and/or analyzed.
3. Chemical Food analysis: Food analysis is very costly and is sent to an outside laboratory. Please discuss logistical issues and cost with the dietitian. All food analysis is at the investigator’s expense.
4. Outpatient metabolic kitchen and on-site dining facilities for large controlled feeding studies (20-25 participants daily). Located at 221 Longwood Ave.
5. Collection and Analysis of nutrient intake data. Using food intake records, diet histories and food frequency questionnaires, nutrient intake data can be collected and analyzed via computer software. Dietitians will assist investigators in the selection of the appropriate tool for the specific aim.
6. Nutrition counseling: Study-related nutrition counseling conducted by registered dietitians is available for both inpatients and outpatients.
7. Anthropometric measurements: Dietitians will assist in training study staff in procedures for collecting various anthropometric measurements using techniques and methods described in NHANES III. Skin fold and elbow breadth calipers are available on the unit.
8. Indirect Calorimetry: A Viasys VMAX 29 indirect calorimetry machine is available for protocol studies. The dietary staff will assist in training study staff in the standard operating procedure. Scheduling the machine must be done through nutrition services.
9. Bioelectrical Impedance: An RJL BIA-101Q is available for CCI-approved studies via a collaborative sharing with Children’s Hospital Human Research Laboratory.
10. DEXA body composition measurements are available through collaborative services at Children’s Hospital Human Research Laboratory. There is a fee for this measure.
11. Off site services: Dietitian/staff services are available for off site investigators in assisting with study design, various nutrition data collection methodologies and interventions, and study staff training. Study requirements and logistics should be discussed with the dietitian manager.
Locations:
The 9A & 9B dietary office and metabolic kitchen are located in the BWH Tower 9A.
The Outpatient dietary office, metabolic kitchen, and dining facility are located at 221 Longwood Avenue.
Inpatient Hours of Operation (BWH Tower 9A & 9B):
Metabolic Kitchen: Daily 7 AM - 6:00 PM.
Dietitian/supervisor on duty weekdays, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM; weekends 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Outpatient (ACC – 221 Longwood Ave) Hours of Operation:
Research Kitchen: Monday - Friday 7 AM – 6:30 PM.
Dietitian/supervisor in facility: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Staff
Primary Contact
Janis Swain, MS, RD
MPC Manager
(T) 617-732-7783
(F) 617-732-7900
Email: jswain@partners.org Secondary Contacts- 9A & 9B
Karen Yee, MS, RD
Sr. Research Dietitian
(T) 617-732-8166
(F) 617-732-7939
Email: kyee1@partners.org
Secondary Contacts- Ambulatory Clinical
Rachel Froehlich, MS, RD
Sr. Research Dietitian
(T) 617-732-8166
(F) 617-732-7939
Email: rfroehlich@partners.org
Fee structure:
- Controlled feeding studies (3 or more participants studied concurrently)
- Cost of food & supplies: $18.00 per day
- Additional FTE Staffing: study dependent
- Food Frequency Questionnaires – dependent upon the questionnaire and analysis fee of the provider.
- Food intake records – depended upon study intensity and usage.
- DEXA – fees established by Children’s Hospital
- Off site services – dependent upon study intensity, location, and staff availability.
- Other fees: dependent upon study intensity and usage.