Shaping the Future of Healthcare Dining: LTI’s Innovative Solutions
When visiting a friend or family member in a hospital or healthcare facility, you may encounter a common frustration: food not meeting expectations. Patient satisfaction goes beyond treatment plans; it significantly influences overall healthcare ratings, including food quality. Let’s also consider the satisfaction of healthcare workers, necessary for maintaining the facility’s atmosphere and efficiency.
A fulfilling meal offers a moment of respite amidst illness or recovery, providing normalcy and comfort to patients and their loved ones. Similarly, healthcare workers, dedicated to patient care, deserve an environment supporting their well-being. Providing them with nutritious meals boosts morale and fosters a positive work environment, reflecting a commitment to comprehensive and compassionate care.
As a leader in custom foodservice equipment, technology and décor, LTI provides an extensive array of equipment options tailored to meet the needs of operators and directors. These solutions are designed to not only enhance nutrition but also streamline efficiency and deliver overall benefits for patients, their families and staff.
So what helps make a tangible difference in the lives of staff and visitors within healthcare facilities? Let’s take a look.
Innovative equipment: the core of healthcare foodservice
In healthcare cafeterias, as in any other business, the goal is efficiency. Over the years, technology has made significant strides in commercial foodservice equipment, making them particularly well-suited for healthcare foodservice.
For example, operators in the healthcare industry love LTI’s patented TempestAir technology, which allows air to circulate below the pans, keeping items fresh for their patrons. Cold pans sit flush with the countertop, making food more visible and appealing to hungry visitors and staff.
Equally popular is LTI’s QuickSwitch technology, which allows operators to switch independently-controlled wells from hot, to cold, to frozen in an hour or less. Also available as a Two-Tier QuickSwitch Glass unit, these convertible shelves can be hot or cold with the flip of a switch.
Menu diversification: catering to varied tastes and nutritional needs
Recognizing the diverse dietary preferences and nutritional requirements of patients, visitors and staff, healthcare foodservice directors are increasingly adopting a more varied and customizable approach to their menus.
Diversifying the menu not only accommodates diverse cultural backgrounds and culinary preferences but also enhances the overall dining experience. By offering a wider selection of options, healthcare facilities can better meet the individual needs and preferences of their diverse population, thereby improving satisfaction levels and overall outcomes.
Moreover, menu diversification plays a big part in promoting nutritional wellness. By incorporating a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and plant-based options, healthcare facilities can ensure patients receive a well-balanced and nutritious diet tailored to their specific health needs.
Resource optimization: streamlining labor
Effective resource allocation is important in healthcare foodservice, particularly in maximizing labor efficiency. LTI offers solutions that optimize human resource allocation without compromising quality or nutritional standards, enhancing various aspects from service speed to food preparation. For instance, our automated equipment, like QuickSwitch, adeptly handles tasks that previously demanded manual effort, allowing staff to concentrate on other culinary tasks.
Space-saving solutions
Maximizing space efficiency is another key factor in healthcare environments. With LTI, your healthcare serving counters can be tailored to any specifications — whether in shape, size or material. As the company motto goes, “If you can dream it, we can build it” — with superior craftsmanship and heavy-duty construction. Plus, LTI counters are pre-wired and can include electrical load centers, saving on construction costs.
Whether it’s a renovation of your main serving area or the addition of a brand-new staff lounge, LTI can help transform your space with food serving solutions proven to increase participation.
Contact your local rep to get started today.
