March 4, 2016
AHS food services worker Sharol MacSwain serves Don Ball his meal using the new Aladdin TempRite meal delivery system that’s counting up some ‘good calories’ for patients and long-term care residents at the Oyen Big Country Hospital. Don was the first patient to receive his meal using the new system. At his side is his wife, Dianne.
Story by Kerri Robins
OYEN — Having a tasty meal served piping hot can make a hospital stay more comfy, and a new culinary equipment at Oyen Big Country Hospital is making sure the heat is on for hungry patients here.
Sixty-four-year-old Don Ball — who was the first patient to receive his meals on the hospital’s new Aladdin TempRite meal-delivery system — says: “My meals were served hot and stayed warm for a long time.”
“This was the first time I’ve been in the hospital, and even though I’d heard rumours that hospital food isn’t always the greatest, my meals were tasty and I found the different-sized dishes were great in making for appropriate food proportions,” adds Ball, who spent close to two weeks in the hospital back in May for a viral chest infection.
Patients and long-term care residents here are enjoying the sleek new system since it was put into service in 2015. The TempRite has two components: improved meal trays in a stainless steel delivery cart; and a heat activator that’s already won two-thumbs-up from staff as well.
Lily Steinley, Patient Food Services Supervisor at the hospital, says she’s pleased with the new system and happy to be able to offer patients and residents meals that keep warm — even when they have to sit bedside for a few minutes before the patient has a chance to eat.
“Our previous system was 35-plus years old and just not keeping food at a consistent warm temperature for long enough,” explains Steinley. “With the new system, the meal is staying about 34 per cent warmer after sitting for 30 minutes, and 31 per cent warmer after sitting for 60 minutes than the old system.”
The ability to maintain meals at a constant temperature longer is due to the advanced technology behind the new heat activator unit. Through conduction heating, the activator individually charges each base to heat up within 12 seconds, before the plated meal is placed upon it.
At meal time, the food is cooked, placed in a steam table, then dished onto a plate. Each meal, covered with a dome, has its own heated base. When all the covered dishes are ready, they are placed in the stainless steel cart to be delivered.
The fully-enclosed stainless steel delivery carts also meet increased infection-control standards: they’re insulated, quieter than the old carts and ergonomically superior.
“The carts have bigger, better quality castors making them easier to move around and the wide handles are easier to steer,” says Steinley.
With a larger surface than the old trays, the new trays are much easier for patients to use — and easier for staff to handle and wash. Easy-to-use accessories — such as a hot-beverage mug with three finger handles to allow a safer, better grip — are also included with these trays, which can accommodate different-sized bowls and dishes.
“The new trays are slimmer and lighter, making them much easier to use and handle for both staff and patients; and the dishes, cups and cutlery are reusable,” adds Steinley.
Approximately 30 long-term care residents plus up to 10 acute-care patients are served meals every day at the hospital.
The full system — comprising 48 meal trays, one stainless steel delivery cart and one heat activator — cost $19,938. The foundation contributed $10,482 and Alberta Health Services gave $9,456.
There are enough meal trays to serve patients and long-term care residents in the event of an outbreak or pandemic where patients have to remain in their rooms.
Foundation Chair Bev Haag says she’s delighted that they could help upgrade the old system.
“We have a really active community when it comes to supporting our health care,” she adds. “I’m proud of everyone who helped out with donations to this project and happy that we’re able to provide our patients and long-term care residents with meals that keep fresher longer.”
Ball adds: “I can say now that hospital food is all right and maybe Oyen hospital is starting a trend.”
For more information, please visit albertahealthservices.ca/give
