Patients select from a restaurant-style menu. There will be a wide variety of food choices designed to meet patients’ therapeutic needs.

Meal orders are taken via telephone by a helpful and knowledgeable member of the Room Service team. All patient meals are physician-based and “checked” by a specialized computer system to ensure adherence to the diet order.

If a patient orders something that does not fit his or her physician-prescribed diet, a Hospitality staff person will make suggestions that fit into the patient’s diet plan.

Patients can order anytime between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; meals will arrive within 45 minutes of the order being placed. Breakfast items will be available for order all day (7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.).

Selections are based on patient-preference research, and will be more appealing to the eye and palate than traditional hospital food. The Room Service program allows foods to be made fresh to order.

The program’s customized orders and more appetizing choices result in less wasted food and better compliance among patients. There are also fewer errors; cost reductions are also possible. Patients who are unable to navigate the system due to physical, emotional or cognitive difficulties will be assisted by a Room Service Ambassador.

The Room Service program allows Food and Nutrition staff to have more personal interaction with patients, while allowing patients to have more control over their meal choices and meal times. Patient education interventions are also easily worked into the process.

The combined patient benefits—greater selection, fresher more appetizing foods, flexible eating times and more personalized interaction with Food and Nutrition staff—all lead to increased patient satisfaction.