Is it a hospital or a hotel?
Someday soon there may not be much difference – as far as food goes that is. While only a minority of hospitals now offer it, the room service approach to hospital meals is boosting patient satisfaction. If you're lucky enough to be in the right hospital, you could satisfy that ice cream craving or sink your teeth into a roast beef sandwich a half hour or so after you call room service.
The approach -- called by names such as ’At Your Request‘ or ’A La Carte‘ -- lets patients order food directly from the hospital food service department between regularly scheduled mealtimes, even if they just need a snack to tide them over.
Elderly patients often don't have as big an appetite as younger people so they can order what they'll eat, cutting down on wasted foods and decreasing food costs. Maternity patients may be hungry after a long labor and delivery, and they don't have to wait for the next scheduled meal.
The food is very similar to what you would find in a hotel. A software program is used to make sure the patient order does not violate any restrictions.
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