An opportunity existed to improve the inpatient nutrition education process to ensure 100% of patients on therapeutic diets had a plan for nutrition education documented in the medical record prior to discharge. Our standard required 100% of inpatients on a therapeutic diet to have a documented plan for nutrition education in their medical record. Unit dietitians were required to assess need and coordinate nutrition education for 100% of patients discharged on a therapeutic diet. Unfortunately, the demands on each unit dietitian exceed the time available to provide the required inpatient nutrition education. Frequently, the shortened length of stay precluded provision of education prior to discharge. An in-house inpatient records review revealed that only 23% of inpatients had documentation of a nutrition care plan prior to being discharged. In an effort to centralize all inpatient education to one position, staffing was reallocated to a new position, the ''Inpatient Nutrition Education Coordinator.'' The goals of this position were to increase the number of patients with coordinated education prior to discharge and to improve patient and medical staff access to nutrition education services. Following the appointment of an Inpatient Nutrition Education Coordinator, 66% of inpatients had documentation of a nutrition care plan prior to being discharged. By providing the majority or nutrition education at the bedside, patients gain a greater knowledge of nutrition and disease management principles. As a result, patient satisfaction has improved. Medical staff benefit through improved access to nutrition education. Additionally, extension of the dietitian's time permits focused attention to provide medical nutrition therapy to high-risk patients. The role of the Inpatient Nutrition Education Coordinator provides a vital link between inpatient and outpatient education and optimizes disease management prior to discharge.