Skylight Healthcare Systems of San Diego is piloting what it believes the healthcare industry's first clinically validated, digital room service meal-ordering system. The TV-interfaced application delivers a valid clinical dietary menu to patients who may then self-order meals directly from the bedside.
It automatically monitors physician-ordered dietary restrictions and allergies and incorporates updates in real-time. The system also provides on-screen nutritional analysis for each menu item selected.
"Our nutrition staff now have quantitative data in every patient room that can be used to reinforce teaching about healthy food choices," says Betty Ann Stephenson, Scottsdale Healthcare's director of hospitality. "With this system, our patients order what they want, when they want it, at the touch of a button."
Patients view meal choices on their in-room TV and use its remote control to place an order any time between 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
"One of the other significant benefits of the system is ease of use," adds Stephenson. "Patients can make their selections at their own pace without having to wait on the phone to talk to a live person, or asking nursing to assist them."
The integrated solution pairs the communication technology of the Skylight's ACCESS Interactive Patient System with Computrition, Inc.'s Hospitality Suite diet office software.