The Southern District Health Board of New Zealand has proposed changes in its food service proposal focused on improved patient care, according to an article on the Otago Daily Times website.
Adoption of the proposal would also deliver significant cost savings, the article said.
The proposal includes more menu options for patients, including 25 percent more choice on breakfast menus and 39 percent more choice on lunch menus, as well as increased options for snacks, desserts and beverages. New national Nutrition Standards, developed with health board dietitians, would be introduced.
In locations where there are 50 or more patients, electronic tablets with nutritional information and pictures of menu items will be used. This integrated electronic ordering system allows orders to be placed nearer meal times.