The advent of the Prospective Payment System (PPS) has caused many facilities to evaluate specific cost centers to determine whether the current arrangement provides maximum benefit for the cost incurred.   During this process it is likely that some providers will review the cost of a dietary consulting service and wonder if their facility might get "more for less" or at least more for the same price -- by hiring a full time dietitian.

Replacing a consultant service with a full time employee costs more than replacing an individual.    A dietary consultant brings the facility knowledge and services beyond their own capabilities and experiences.    The facility is contracting not with an individual but with a company specifically in the business of professional dietary consulting.  The facility has access to all the company has to offer -- providing them with the best in dietary care at a lower cost.  It just makes good $ense!