Dameron Hospital | Health Outlook | Spring 2019

dameronhospital.org 11 kidney-friendly, as well as carbohydrate counts for each item for those watching their blood sugar. “Now that our patients have a large selection of meal items to choose from, not only is their dining experience more satisfying, but we reduce the amount of wasted food because they can now order something they’ll actually eat,” says Joel Wolfley, Director of Food Services. “When people have access to foods they prefer, they tend to eat better—and eating well usually has a positive effect on recovery.” Healthier choices Before mealtime, a Dameron food service staff member, or “host,” visits the patient to ask them for their menu selections. Each patient has a customized set of options available to them based on clinical guidance from their physician and food choices that are reviewed by our dietitians. This information is preloaded into handheld electronic tablets that our hosts use to discuss meal options with patients. Providing patients with this guidance and education also helps them make healthier choices when they leave the hospital. Once the selections are made, the order is then queued for final preparation and delivered to the patient. Though there are identifiable times associated with when meals are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, our Unit Host team will prepare food for patients anytime during their regular operating hours by having their nurse call down to the kitchen to place their order. Visiting friends and family members may also order from the room service menu for a small fee and dine with their loved ones. Café 525— Raising the bar on cafeteria food Also available to visitors to the hospital is Dameron’s Café 525. Similar to the room service program, Café 525 offers freshly prepared items such as made-to- order deli sandwiches and salads. It also offers a soup station, a grilling station and daily specials from multiple cultures that are freshly prepared with local ingredients and enticing flavors. Café hours are from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The Dameron Hospital Unit Host Room Service program is available to eligible patients from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. “Our new Unit Host Room Service program provides a much more satisfying patient care experience,” says Lorraine P. Auerbach, President and CEO of Dameron Hospital. “This program is just one of the many ways we are trying to provide care that leaves people feeling positive about their experience with us. By striving to do this for every patient, every time, we will be well on our way in helping to improve the health of our community.” ORDER IN. To learn more about our meal options, visit dameronhospital.org/nutrition .