Healthcare Dining and Hospital Cafeteria Food

 

IMPROVING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Stereotypical hospital food and cafeteria dining have a less than stellar reputation. From the lukewarm meatloaf to the endless flavored gelatin and pudding cups, most people don’t count on an excellent experience when it comes to healthcare dining.

But the bar has risen and medical facilities are focusing on healthier offerings that look and taste great. Several facilities have even adopted a model similar to that of hotel room service with a focus on excellence, presentation and becoming a place people want to eat; not a place people have to eat.[1]

If you’re looking to improve both the look and feel of your medical facility dining, look no further. Several tips on enhancing the healthcare dining experience are explored below.

Better Healthcare and Hospital Food Service

 
·  Expand your menu: The best of the best have improved their operation by expanding their menu options. A larger variety, healthier options, locally sourced foods and even cuisines from other cultures are popping up on hospital and healthcare cafeteria menus.[2] New and improved menus should mimic the look and feel of your crisp, fresh food—ensure they do with these attractive menu shells.
 
·    Adopt a room service or cafe model: Your patients and their visitors will appreciate the opportunity to order what they want, when they want it. Offering 24/7, room service style ordering (in room and in cafeterias) not only ensures your customers are fed when hungry; it can actually save money too. In fact, UNC Healthcare in Chapel Hill, NC, realized a $400,000 savings the first year it switched to a room service model due to the decrease in waste.[3]
 
·    Focus on nutrition: The food offered at hospitals and other healthcare facilities should be fresh and nutritious. Some facilities are even growing their own gardens to provide food at its peak. This practice not only reaps food that is as
nutritious as it is delicious; it supports the local economy and is a sustainable practice too.[4]
 
·    Dress up your dining: Many facilities are making the switch from food service managers to executive chefs. These gurus of the gourmet are providing expanded menu options that look, smell and taste great.[5] Be sure your dinnerware pairs nicely with your entrees—our TraymatsCaterWrap® and Quickset®

Better dining can improve the patient experience that in turn can improve outcomes and provide a boost to healthcare facility and hospital bottom lines. Expanded menus with a variety of healthier, fresher options are sure to delight patients, visitors and staff.
 
Our Traymats and Cutlery Pouches are the Perfect Pair for your New Improved Faire: 

·        CaterWrap®

·        Quickset®

·        Traymats

 

[1] "Hospitals Improve Food Service to Increase Patient Satisfaction - Industry News." Healthcare Facilities Today. N.p., 2 Aug. 2013. Web. 09 May 2016. .

[2] Tolliver, Michael V. "Hospitals Are Hungry for Changes in Food Service." Hospitals Are Hungry for Changes in Food Service. N.p., 1 Apr. 2015. Web. 09 May 2016. .

[3] Galewitz, Phil. "Hospitals Offer Better Food As Patient Satisfaction Becomes More Important Under Federal Health Law." Kaiser Health News Hospitals Offer Better Food As Patient Satisfaction Becomes More Important Under Federal Health Law Comments. N.p., 24 June 2013. Web. 09 May 2016. .

[4] Tolliver, Michael V. "Hospitals Are Hungry for Changes in Food Service." Hospitals Are Hungry for Changes in Food Service. N.p., 1 Apr. 2015. Web. 09 May 2016. .

[5] Ibid