Rules & Guidelines for the Nutritional Focus Group

NUTRITIONAL FOCUS GROUP RULES & GUIDELINES
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Meal & Snack Times:

All meals will be taken separately, in the group therapy room, under the close supervision of at least two members of staff at any one time.
All patients assigned to the group will arrive punctually for all mealtimes, and for additional snack times when requested by staff to attend.
Patients are not to move the food around their plate, separate their food, or otherwise play with their food.
Patients are not to leave the table during mealtimes for any reason whatsoever.
Patients are to complete meals within a set amount of time.
Patients will clear their plates entirely, including scraping the plate. No food is to be left or hidden.
Patients will immediately comply with staff requests during all meal and snack times.
Patients may not take bathroom breaks during mealtimes, nor for a hour and a half after mealtimes. Emergency bathroom breaks will be supervised and observed in person, by a member of staff.

Basic Rules & Guidelines:

All patients assigned to the group, who are significantly underweight, will maintain a caloric intake of at least 2600 calories per day.
All underweight patients will submit to a medical exam once every two weeks, to be weighed and to monitor electrolyte and nutrition levels.
Underweight patients are prohibited from spending time at the pool, or at the stables (excepting those in the behavioural focus group, who must be given only light activities as chores).
Patients will observe a balanced diet with a high caloric value, and will complete meals regardless of personal tastes. (Food allergies are the only exception to this rule, and must be verified by medical staff.)
All patients assigned to the group will attend classes twice weekly, to learn about nutrition and health, healthy relationships with food, and healthy relationships with exercise, in addition to their regularly scheduled therapy.
A failure to comply with the program will result in disciplinary measures, up to and including the confiscation of all personal items, including clothing and issued scrubs, (patients will be supplied with hospital gowns only until they have shown signs of progress) removal of free time privileges, removal of outdoor area privileges, removal of activities privileges, removal of special event privileges, and potential seclusion.

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For Attending Group Staff:

Patients not complying with mealtime and program rules should be made verbally aware of their options, including what will happen if they comply (list positive things, such as later activities etc) and what will happen if they do not comply (refer to disciplinary actions listed above.) If patients still do not comply, then disciplinary actions proportionate to behaviour should be followed through with.
Staff should closely supervise all meal times to assure that food is not removed from the plate except to be eaten.
Staff are to take no excuses from patients during meal times. If there is a medical concern, a doctor should be called to the group room to assess the situation.
Staff should maintain an assertive attitude of professionalism. They should not engage in conversation or arguments with patients in the group, and should always direct focus back to the meal or task at hand instead, ignoring complaints or arguments until after a meal or task has been completed.