Scottsdale Healthcare Launches The Healthcare Industry's First Fully Integrated Digital Meal Ordering For Patients

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail;  Public Health
Article Date: 19 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Working together with Chatsworth, CA-based Computrition, Inc. and San Diego, CA-based Skylight Healthcare Systems, Scottsdale Healthcare is piloting the healthcare industry's first clinically validated digital room service meal ordering. This first-in-class application delivers a valid clinical dietary menu to patients who may then self-order meals directly from the bedside.

The industry's first integrated solution partners the nutritional intelligence of Computrition's Hospitality Suite and the communication technology of the Skylight ACCESS Interactive Patient System to provide room service menus to patients that are clinically identified as "room service appropriate". Physician ordered dietary restrictions and allergies are automatically monitored, and the system is updated in real-time -meaning that as soon as the physician removes a diet restriction, room service ordering becomes available to that patient.

The system also provides vital on-screen nutritional analysis for each menu item selected, providing meaningful health information to patients, including calorie, fat, sodium and carbohydrate counts. "Our nutrition staff now have quantitative data in every patient room that can be used to reinforce teaching about healthy food choices", said Betty Ann Stephenson, Scottsdale Healthcare's Director of Hospitality.

It is well documented that hospital patients that eat better, recover faster and that patients are often prone to hunger at unusual times. "It can be a challenge for us to offer meal choices that are based on patients' taste preferences (and therefore, more likely to be eaten) and to serve meals any time the patient is hungry. With this system, our patients order what they want, when they want it, at the touch of a button" continued Stephenson.

Rather than stocking paper menus in patient rooms, and directing hundreds of daily calls to the diet office, patients can now view meal choices on their in-room TV and use their remote control to place an order any time they like. Patients may place meal orders anytime from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. "One of the other significant benefits of the system is ease of use. 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," added Stephenson.

"We're excited to extend the reach of our Hospitality Suite software to patients' bedsides" said Computrition President & Catalyst, Scott Saklad. "Partnering with Skylight Healthcare Systems and Scottsdale Healthcare allows this state-of-the-art application of technology, benefiting everyone in the hospital."

"Scottsdale Healthcare has a history of innovation and we want that to continue," said Jim Cramer, Scottsdale Healthcare's CIO. "By piloting this technologically advanced room service model, we expect to improve patient and staff satisfaction while reducing the number of staff required to provide the same high-quality service to our patients."

"This solution will once again call attention to Scottsdale Healthcare's mindset as an early adopter of technology that serves both patients and staff, and Skylight's industry-leading services which provide interactive patient solutions at the bedside that have a very positive impact on patient satisfaction and improved hospital efficiencies" comments David Schofield, CEO of Skylight Healthcare Systems. "We are honored to be continuing our mission to help set the standard for excellence in personalized healthcare."

About Scottsdale Healthcare

Scottsdale Healthcare is Arizona's only Magnet designated health system, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Established in 1962 and governed by a local volunteer board of directors, Scottsdale Healthcare is the not-for-profit parent organization of the Scottsdale Healthcare Shea, Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak (opening fall 2007) hospitals, the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, Scottsdale Clinical Research Institute, Scottsdale Healthcare Home Health Services and Scottsdale Healthcare Community Health Services. Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak will be included in the organization's next Magnet survey. Learn more at http://www.shc.org.

About Skylight Health Systems

Skylight™ Healthcare Systems is the industry pioneer in interactive patient system technology. With patient communication the cornerstone of a safe, comfortable and clinically optimal hospital experience, the Skylight ACCESS™ Interactive Patient System encourages patient and family to actively participate in their health care, improves communication between staff and patient/family members, and can provide a smoother and faster recovery and discharge plan. Skylight's overall vision is to provide hospitals with a robust tool which will allow them to greatly enhance communication along the entire patient care continuum. In nearly 10,000 installed locations, leading hospital administrators have confidently selected Skylight Healthcare Systems as the proven choice for their interactive patient system technology. Skylight Healthcare Systems is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information about Skylight Healthcare Systems, please visit: http://www.skylight.com

About Computrition

Computrition, Inc. is the leading provider of fully integrated foodservice and nutrition management software systems in the hospitality and healthcare industries. With customers throughout the USA, Canada, and worldwide, Computrition provides an all-encompassing software system designed to increase efficiency and productivity in the healthcare, hospitality, university, school foodservice, military and corrections industries. Staffed by dietitians, foodservice directors, chefs, business & service professionals and certified technical specialists, Computrition possesses the expertise necessary to deliver the highest quality products and services with a focus on customer satisfaction, employee fulfillment, and profitability.

http://www.computrition.com