The hospital sector is also undergoing a digital revolution. Medical records are now computerized, consultation reservations are made online and some appointments are even made by teleconsultation. Hospital catering is not left behind, as new technologies are even being used in kitchens in the form of tray scans, online pre-orders and connected fridges.
Let's discover together how digital technology can help hospitals meet their organizational challenges.
How to optimize the management of hospital catering thanks to digital technology?
The adoption of innovative digital solutions allows the improvement of the operational management of hospitals while making the daily life of patients, visitors and staff more pleasant. Let's get to know 3 of these digital technologies!
Make the checkout process easier
The tray scanner is a technological tool that is perfectly adapted to hospital catering. Patients, visitors and staff members have absolutely no effort to make other than reloading their badge beforehand. They can choose from a variety of dishes and then place their tray and badge on the self checkout terminal. It's as simple as that!
For people wishing to eat, this translates into an average checkout time of 3 to 5 seconds. As a result, the experience of the meal break is much more enjoyable. More time at the table and less time in line.
For hospitals, this compact and easy-to-deploy digital solution facilitates the operational management of the restaurant by allowing the content of the trays to be monitored in real time. It improves fluidity and considerably increases the productivity of the restaurant, which can now satisfy a maximum number of guests in a minimum amount of time. It's a win-win solution for everyone in the hospital, including management.
The icing on the cake is that the tray scanner integrates perfectly with the Innovorder cash register system for quick and easy order entry.
Allow online pre-ordering
Online ordering, such as click and collect, is also becoming more common in the catering industry, particularly in health care institutions.
How does it work in practice?
People within the hospital, staff and visitors, have access to the online menu by logging in directly to a specific page or by scanning a QR code. This allows them to order online, no matter where they are. They can also choose to pay directly on the Internet or at the reception of the order. Orders are then delivered to the room or hand-delivered at the counter.
This service is available to all hospital patients and to patients with no specific diet.
Among the many advantages offered by this online ordering system, here are 6:
- optimized flow management,
- a decrease in food waste,
- better anticipation and inventory management,
- increased guest satisfaction through a fun and innovative experience,
- a catering offer that meets consumer expectations,
- an increase in the hospital's turnover thanks to the implementation of a new sales channel.
Offer a 24-hour catering solution
Digital solutions such as connected fridges are becoming more and more common in the catering sector and these are proving to be particularly practical in hospital environments.
Their main advantage?
A catering offer available 24/7. That's one less concern for employees working nights or shifts! Available at any time of the day and without the need for operator assistance, these fridges offer a wide choice of dishes (sandwiches, salads, etc.).
As a hospitality professional, you'll be pleased to know that these solutions energize and enhance the guest experience without any special work.
And Innovorder takes care of everything: installation, configuration, integration and training. So, ready to take the plunge?
Digitalization to meet the challenges of hospital catering
Well-being at the heart of the care pathway
University hospitals, clinics, hospital centers, health care groups and all health care facilities are committed to offering the best possible reception conditions to the people who use them. This includes providing them with access to a quality catering service. In this sense, hospital catering should not be considered as a marginal logistical function, but as an essential service.
Meals are a great way for patients and visitors to take their minds off their care and the noise of the machines. It is an experience in its own right, outside the medical setting. Beyond the respect of nutritional needs, the variety of dishes and the taste qualities of the food, it is possible to bring a hotel dimension to hospital catering.
By this we mean an optimized and flexible customer journey where those who wish to eat have a choice of options and choose the time of day to consume their meal, all thanks to digital sales channels that facilitate access to the restaurant offer.
Improving the working conditions of caregivers
For caregivers, the equation is simple:
Restoration ➕ digitization 🟰 improved working conditions.
Hospital jobs are stressful, and a doctor's, orderly's or nurse's lunch break is much more than just a meal. It's a time to unwind, rest and chat with colleagues. That's why it's important to make the experience as pleasant as possible. That's the promise of digital technology!
Say goodbye to time wasted in line.
Caregivers can order from their phones and eat when they want or when their schedule permits. They also have access to real, continuous meals, not just the snacks offered by vending machines. These benefits add up to a real impact on the mental health of caregivers, who now enjoy quality breaks.
Finally, on-call teams whose schedules do not correspond to the restaurant or cafeteria opening hours can now order online to eat their meal later or help themselves to a connected fridge installed on the floors or in the break room.
👉 Going further: online ordering in the healthcare sector
The reflection of a modern establishment
In addition to the positive impacts on the daily lives of patients, visitors and employees, the digitization of hospital catering also improves the image of establishments that have made this digital shift.
These hospitals enjoy a better reputation among patients. They are perceived as structures that live with the times and do not skimp on resources to offer optimal reception conditions. The people hospitalized can thus approach their stay in a better frame of mind. Their family and friends, knowing they are in good hands, are also reassured.
These facilities are also more attractive from an HR perspective. Modern facilities where the well-being of employees and patients is a top priority will naturally receive more applications than others.
👉To go further: 9 tips for finding restaurant staff
Reduction of health risks
The food service industry is governed by many hygiene regulations, but the hospital environment is by far the most demanding. This observation was further reinforced following the COVID-19 pandemic. Digitization appears to be one of the most effective levers to fight against the risks of contamination.
Online ordering, for example, avoids the handling of paper menus that are passed from hand to hand. The tray scanner follows the same logic and prevents the transmission of diseases via payment terminals.
Finally, queues are the number one enemy of hospitals, as they make it difficult to apply social distancing measures. In today's health context, the digitization of hospital catering therefore has a crucial role to play in the fight against certain pathologies.
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You are in charge of the catering in a health care institution and you wish to improve the organization of your restaurant or cafeteria?
👉 F ind out more about our offer for the healthcare catering industry
