Hospital food now comes ‘At Your Request'

Hospital meals are now more like hotel room service thanks to a new program at Fremont Area Medical Center.

With the "At Your Request" dining service that began Wednesday, patients can order freshly prepared foods at whatever time they prefer between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Meals are delivered to the patient's room within 45 minutes of the order.

"At Your Request" is a registered trademark of Sodexho, the food service management company that contracts with FAMC.

"It's a program where patients can order what they want, when they want (during hours of operation)," said Beth Carlson, food services manager. "There's a menu at their bedside and they can call anytime."

Full breakfasts, 12 entrees including baked fish and stir fry, grilled items, deli sandwiches and soups and salads can be ordered throughout the day.

"If they would like an omelet at night, they can have it," Carlson said. "They can order a hamburger for breakfast, too."

Dietary restrictions are interfaced into the food service computer and customer service operators who answer the phone can guide patients to proper choices, she said.

Patients can specify when they want the meal delivered within that 12-hour time frame.

Carlson said the new system is much different than traditional hospital food service where patients must order their meals a day in advance.

"I may not feel like the roast beef I ordered yesterday, but want chicken," she said. "With ‘At Your Request' you can order what you want when you want it."

She said the food cost per meal is slightly less because patients only order what they want. There is also no waste because all meals are made to order.

Guests can also order a meal for $6.50.

"The biggest benefit to the patient is the customer service interaction. They talk to a real person who guides them through their diet," Carlson said. "It takes the nurses out of the food service business."

Because the new service is no longer production line style, a certified chef came out to FAMC to train the staff on the short orders. The kitchen also was redesigned for the new program.

"It really is restaurant-quality food," Carlson said. "The menu is completely different than it was."

She said the food quality has been "top notch" so far and she's proud of her employees.

"Our staff has really done an excellent job. They've really rallied around the program," Carlson said. "I really think the administration in this hospital saw the vision of what patients should have. Not many small hospitals offer a program like this."

FAMC is one of only three hospitals in the state contracted with Sodexho that offer the "At Your Request" service.