Quick Help

Kathy Long
Administrative Manager
(206) 598-4700
gcrc@u.washington.edu

GCRC Policies — Patient Meals, Adult Unit (UW GCRC)

Inpatient subjects All inpatient subjects will be provided with full meals, according to protocol requirements, as part of their inpatient care. Inpatient meals do not have to be requested by the investigator and are given to subjects automatically as part of their inpatient stay on the GCRC.

Outpatient subjects Outpatient subjects will not receive full meal service unless the investigator has submitted an application to the GCRC Scientific Advisory Committee and requested meals as an ancillary cost (see new application). Justification for receiving meals for subjects must be presented. The use of ancillary funds to supply meals must be approved based on the priority of the project.

Full meals for research subjects will be considered as ancillary expenses and will no longer be automatically provided free of charge to research subjects on outpatient studies.

Special cases Selected outpatient subjects will be offered snacks (yogurt, cheese/peanut butter and crackers, pudding, etc) as part of routine GCRC services if the following circumstances apply:

• Subject has been fasting for a procedure and has completed the procedure
• Subject has a medical need for regimented calorie consumption, e.g. diabetes
• Subject is a member of a vulnerable population, i.e. pregnant women, children, etc.

Snacks will not be offered routinely to research subjects who are not part of these categories.

Outpatient Meal Options

If investigators would like to have subjects receive meals while in the GCRC and the above categories do not apply, there are three options to choose from.

The first option applies to subjects who are not able to leave the unit during their stay. The second and third options apply to subjects who are able to leave the unit during their stay.

1. Patient Tray Service - meal delivery from Dietary Department. This is the same tray service as used for inpatients on the GCRC. Investigators may order patient tray service if their budgets have been approved for food expenditures. Investigators will provide their budget number to the GCRC.
2. Meal Vouchers - can be purchased from Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). Subjects can obtain meals from the cafeteria and bring food up to the GCRC during their stay. Instructions for meal vouchers:
   • Meal vouchers are available at the 7-South nurses’ station or in the FNS office to the right of the cashier station at the Plaza Café- Room SW110.
   • Only those budgets approved for food are eligible for food vouchers.
   • Follow the example on 7S for filling in the pertinent information on each voucher.
   • Assign a dollar amount with "not to exceed" on the voucher.
   • All vouchers must be pre-approved and stamped by personnel in the FNS office located in Room SW110.
   • Your budget will be charged only after voucher is used at cash register.
   • Stamped vouchers can then be included in materials given to the subject upon arrival to the GCRC.
   Please contact the FNS office at 598-4151 if you have any questions regarding use of vouchers.
3. Gift Certificate- (also needs budget approval for food) Investigators can purchase gift certificates from the FNS office in $2, $5, or $10 increments to give to subjects for purchase of meals. For more information, contact the FNS Office at 598-4151.