AF Form 1738: Therapeutic Menu (Yellow) 3-Way Perf – AF Form 1738 serves as a critical tool in U.S. Air Force Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) for planning and documenting therapeutic diets. Clinical dietitians and Nutritional Medicine (NM) personnel use this specialized yellow form with 3-way perforation to create menus tailored to patients’ medical needs while maintaining nutritional standards.
What Is AF Form 1738?
AF Form 1738 is officially titled “Therapeutic Menu (Yellow)(3-way Perf)”. It functions as a dedicated menu planning document for therapeutic (modified) diets in Air Force hospitals and clinics. The yellow color distinguishes it from general selective menus (typically white forms like AF Form 1737 or 1739), and the 3-way perforation allows easy distribution of copies to kitchen staff, patient care teams, and records.
This form supports the creation of cycle menus that modify regular hospital meals to accommodate specific dietary restrictions, such as:
- Low-sodium
- Low-fat
- Calorie-controlled
- Diabetic
- Renal
- Texture-modified (e.g., soft or pureed)
- Other medically necessary adjustments
Therapeutic menus built on AF Form 1738 prioritize patient recovery by aligning with evidence-based Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) guidelines, often drawing from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Care Manual (NCM) and Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Purpose and Role in Air Force Nutritional Medicine
In Air Force medical food service operations, governed primarily by AFMAN 44-144 (Medical Food Service Management), the Chief of Clinical Dietetics (or designated personnel) writes therapeutic menus using AF Form 1738. The NM Flight Commander or Element Chief then approves them.
Key goals include:
- Achieving or maintaining optimal nutritional status for inpatients.
- Modifying items from the regular selective menu (e.g., AF Form 1737) as much as possible to ensure consistency and efficiency in meal production.
- Supporting treatment for acute and chronic conditions while respecting patient preferences where feasible.
- Facilitating accurate tray assembly, portion control, and service in hospital kitchens.
The form integrates into broader menu planning cycles. Facilities develop regular menus first, then extend them into therapeutic versions using AF Form 1738 to minimize waste and streamline operations. In smaller facilities without an on-site dietitian, the NCOIC of NM prepares the menus for MAJCOM Dietitian approval.
How AF Form 1738 Fits into Air Force Menu Systems?
Air Force nutritional services use a color-coded and perforation-based system for menu management:
| Diet Type | Color | 3-Way Form | 6-Way Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Selective | White | AF Form 1737 | AF Form 1739 |
| Therapeutic Selective | Yellow | AF Form 1738 | AF Form 1740 |
| Liquid | Yellow | AF Form 2481 | AF Form 2482 |
| Calorie Restricted | Green | AF Form 2499 | AF Form 2500 |
| Diabetic | Green | AF Form 2479 | AF Form 2480 |
The 3-way perforation on AF Form 1738 enables efficient distribution (e.g., one copy for production, one for clinical records, one for quality control). This system supports both manual and automated processes (such as Computrition software).
Related forms include:
- AF Form 1094 — Diet Order (to prescribe the specific therapeutic diet).
- AF Form 1741 — Used for recording food preferences, allergies, and computing nonstandard diets.
Who Uses AF Form 1738?
- Registered Dietitians (RDs) and Clinical Dietetics staff in Air Force MTFs.
- Nutritional Medicine Service (NM) personnel.
- Food service supervisors and kitchen production teams.
- Medical providers involved in inpatient care.
It applies primarily to inpatient settings at Air Force hospitals and clinics worldwide. The form ensures compliance with Joint Subsistence Policy Board standards and promotes high-quality, safe patient feeding.
How to Access and Use AF Form 1738?
- Download the official blank form directly from the Air Force e-Publishing site: AF Form 1738 PDF.
- Fill it out according to facility procedures, referencing the patient’s diet order (AF Form 1094) and regular menu items.
- Modify the menu pattern to meet therapeutic requirements while aiming to use items from the base selective menu in the same sequence.
- Obtain required approvals and reproduce/distribute copies as needed for daily meal service.
For detailed guidance on menu planning, refer to AFMAN 44-144, which outlines responsibilities, approval processes, and best practices for therapeutic menu development. Always consult current Air Force instructions, as forms and manuals may receive periodic updates through e-Publishing.
Note: This form is for official U.S. Air Force use. Civilian or non-AF personnel should contact their local MTF or dietetics department for equivalent processes. For the most current version and instructions, check the official Air Force e-Publishing website.
Why Proper Use of AF Form 1738 Matters?
Accurate therapeutic menu planning directly impacts patient outcomes, recovery times, and satisfaction in military healthcare settings. By standardizing modifications to regular menus, AF Form 1738 helps ensure meals remain appetizing, nutritionally balanced, and compliant with medical orders—ultimately supporting the mission of Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) to deliver world-class care.
If you need assistance locating related forms (e.g., AF Form 1737, AF Form 1094) or additional resources on Air Force nutritional medicine, visit the official Air Force e-Publishing portal or contact your MTF’s Nutritional Medicine Service.
This article provides general information based on publicly available Air Force publications as of the latest accessible data. Always verify with current official sources for operational use.