Sodexo at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center: Perceptions of Hospital Food

At a meeting yesterday, a friend mentioned a woman bitten by a Black Spider found in grapes at the grocery store.( http://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Woman-Bitten-by-Black-Widow-Spider-Found-in-Shaws-Grapes-305058121.html) The conversation then turned into how we all feel bad for the woman and how she will not look at grapes the same way again. Another colleague mentioned that he got the flu one Thanksgiving and he didn't eat turkey on Thanksgiving for ten years!

Experience and Perception is so powerful. It could set the tone for our future experience for a long time.

Hence, it keeps me wondering. If you ask someone what they think about "Hospital Food", their first reaction will usually be negative followed by the word "Ewwhhh". It might be due to the fact that it reminded them of the time when they were sick. So, even before a patient takes a bite, often times we lose half the battle. Unfortunately perception is always stronger than reality. Sometimes I will be asked by patients or their families why does the food in the Hospital cafeteria taste so much better than the food that we served in the inpatient unit? Apart from the food quality, it could also be a couple of other reasons. It could be due to the fact that:

1) The patient is not feeling well, therefore has no appetite
2) The medication that the patient is currently taking affects the patient's taste buds
3) The patient's diet limits the amount of sodium ,fat,or variety that could be offered to them.

At the hospital cafeteria, although we offer healthy choices, the menu was not tailored to the patient's individual diet. For example, if a patient is on a Heart Healthy diet and a family member or friends decides to buy a bacon cheeseburger for the patient from the cafeteria, of course the patient will prefer the cafeteria food. Often times, someone will bring home cooked meals to the patients as there is nothing the patient likes from the menu selection. I agree home cooked meals are always the best as these are our comfort food. The question is, will it help the patient with their recovery?

Ten years ago, patients might only receive a few choices a day and they have to eat at a set time. At the Sodexo account at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, we offer At Your Request – Room Service Dining® (http://sodexousa.com/usen/media/press-releases/2011/atyourrequest060611.aspx) that delivers freshly prepared meals to the patient in under 45 minutes, from 7am-7pm each day. The menu offers American, Italian,Latin and Asian cuisine. It empowers the patient and gives them flexibility. They can eat what they want, when they want, so long as it falls within their dietary restrictions. It reminds me of hotel room service without the shocking prices, plus it's good for your health! We also have a group of well trained Registered Dietitians and Nutrition Care Coordinators who can assist patients with their menu selections.

So, in this article, I would like to showcase some of the items that were prepared for our Patients at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center.

I know it is hard to change a perception but I hope all readers will have an open mind and give Patient's food a chance.