Mega Doctor News
Improved public awareness, increased diagnostic testing and continued changes in the environment and the diet of Americans has resulted in a rising prevalence in the United States of celiac disease, a medical condition where the immune system reacts to gluten, sometimes causing damage to the small intestine.
Approximately one in 133 Americans, or about 1% of the U.S. population, has the serious genetic autoimmune disease, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But due to recent screening studies, health experts believe the prevalence of celiac disease may higher than 1% in the U.S., with pediatric screening studies in particular showing rates at around 2%.
Without proper treatment, celiac disease – which damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food – may result in serious side-effects including malnourishment, osteoporosis, chronic anemia and the potential development of certain types of cancer.
While some individuals may follow a gluten-free diet freely, those living with celiac disease must avoid the consumption gluten — a protein found in wheat, rye and barley — to avoid bloating, chronic diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain and nausea or vomiting.
Celiac disease sufferers who require hospitalization may experience extra stress. Whether they’ll be visiting a hospital for an outpatient procedure or a longer stay, they must take extra steps to ensure their need for a gluten-free diet is met.
Should Rio Grande Valley residents with celiac disease need hospitalization, they can now count on South Texas Health System McAllen to provide gluten-free meals during their time in the hospital.
Following an extensive audit by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a national non-profit organization dedicated to making life easier for people living gluten-free, the facility has been validated as a Gluten-Free Food Service (GFFS) Safe Spot.
“STHS McAllen’s validation serves as a testament to the commitment of our dietary services department to the safety and wellbeing of our patients with celiac disease,” said Patrick Woodin, Director of Food & NutritionServices, STHS McAllen. “It demonstrates our dedication to taking all necessary precautions to ensure that our patients have a positive and stress-free experience during their hospital visit.”
To achieve this GFFS certification, all 42 employees of STHS McAllen’s dietary services department had to undergo special training and pass several exams over the course of eight months to ensure they met the rigorous safety standards and expectations for a meal to be 100% gluten free.
“I’m honored to lead a team of clinical dietitians, cooks, dietary aides, clerks and porters at STHS McAllen who have accepted the challenge of abiding by the strict guidelines and procedures that allow us be a trusted hospital for this special population.”
STHS McAllen joins its sister facility, STHS Edinburg, as the only two hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley to earn the GFFS Safe Spot status. Only five hospitals in Texas have met the criteria for the designation.
“The percentage of celiac disease sufferers in the Rio Grande Valley may be small, but STHS McAllen is dedicated to the health, safety and wellbeing of every patient who entrusts us with their care. Protecting their welfare is as important as that of any other population,” said Emma Montes-Ewing, Chief Executive Officer, STHS McAllen. “With our validation as a Gluten-Free Safe Spot, we hope to continue to prove to the communities we proudly serve that we are dedicated to understanding and meeting the needs of all our patients.”
To learn more about the food and nutrition services at STHS McAllen, visit https://www.southtexashealthsystemmcallen.com/food-and-nutrition.
