The following measures can help: Rescinding restrictive dietary orders as soon as possible Monitoring nutritional intake daily Conferring with patients and family members about food preferences and attempting to tailor a reasonable diet specific to each patient Encouraging family members to join the patient at mealtimes because people eat more when they eat with others Making sure patients are fed adequately at all times (eg, ensuring that meals are saved if patients are out of their unit for tests or treatment during mealtime) Considering use of temporary parenteral nutrition or gastrointestinal tube feedings for patients too sick to swallow Giving explicit oral fluid orders (eg, providing a fresh and readily accessible bedside water pitcher or other fluids unless fluids are restricted; advising family members, friends, and staff members to regularly offer patients a drink) Transitions of Care A care transition is whenever a patient moves from one setting of care to another.