HFM Analysis Forecasts Foodervice Innovations

By Amelia Levin, Senior Associate Editor -- Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, 4/16/2008 10:20:00 AM

Dining facility renovations represents a leading factor in the healthcare foodservice market, according to a membership survey conducted by the National Society for Healthcare Foodservice Management (HFM). The survey also found that the popularity of room service remains on the rise in the segment.

For example, more than half of the HFM members participating in the survey indicated they plan to break ground on a major foodservice construction or renovation project within the next two years.

With respect to room service, transitioning to this model has proven beneficial. According to the participating HFM members, 74 percent reported that patient satisfaction scores had increased as a result of implementing room service. And among that group, 81 percent said their scores increased by more than 10 percent.

Operators continue to put a greater emphasis on innovative ways to keep their staff and visitors happy. A retail, cashless system, which allows customers to pay for their hospital cafeteria meals conveniently with the scan of a prepaid card, key or an online service, is used at more than half of the members’ facilities, according to the survey results.

A group of 271 HFM members responded to the survey, which inquired about their patient meal service, retail restaurants, cafes, kiosks, practices, operations and construction plans. Visit HFM’s web site to learn more.