Windsor Regional Hospital Introduces "At Your Request (SM)" Patient Room Service Dining

May 2, 2007 - A new unique patient room dining service has been introduced at the Met Campus of Windsor Regional Hospital providing “At Your RequestSM” meals at anytime throughout the day.  Sodexho, international leader in providing food and facilities management and a pioneer in room service-style service in hospitals developed the At Your RequestSM  - Room Service Dining.

At Your RequestSM is an exciting program that allows patients to have 'what they want, when they want it' by ordering personalized meals from a full scale, restaurant-style menu giving several options adhering to physician and dietatian-established nutritional guidelines.  The patient or their family simply orders a meal by phone from their room in the hospital and service is delivered in a timely manner.

This is very different than the conventional method of food services in hospitals prior to At Your RequestSM.  Rather than the previous 24 hours in advance preordering method from a very limited menu, patients can call when they are hungry as opposed to having to wait for standard meal times.

Service is provided from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with patients deciding on breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks at any time.  Through a sophisticated computer order system, provisions for special or restricted diets are taken into account by the dietitians and trained technicians receiving the orders.  As a result, a patient will not receive something they should not due to diet or medication.

“Introducing our room service program provides important benefits to both the hospital and our patients.”  said Alexander Kunz, District Manager, Healthcare, Sodexho. This innovative approach to food preparation and meal delivery employs simple tools, systems and processes that ensure a more positive and nutritional dining experience for patients.”

The benefits of “At Your RequestSM” - Room Service Dining include reductions in costs related to reduced floor supplies and less waste.  In addition, as a result of the ordering process patients are educated on the nutritional components of various food groups that help them make better food choices once they leave the hospital.  “At Your RequestSM” - Room Service Dining has proven to be a more efficient and cost-effective approach to food service for Windsor Regional Hospital.

“Typically, when a patient enters a hospital, they lose total control over their environment.  They are told what to do and when to do it.  They were told when to eat and what to eat by the hospital.  Giving them back control will increase their nutritional intake which will result in increased patient satisfaction” stated David Musyj, Vice President, Corporate Services/Medical Affairs.

For more information contact:

Ron Foster, Executive Director    
Public Affairs/Communications    
519-995-2482 (cell)     
519-254-5577 Ext 52003 

Gisele Sullens, Director 
Community Affairs
519-987-3160 (cell)
519-254-5577 Ext 52008   

Sodexho
Sodexho is the leading provider of food and facilities management in North America. Sodexho offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset and materials management, and laundry services to corporations, health care and long term care facilities, retirement centers, schools, college and university campuses, military and remote sites.  With Canadian Headquarters in Burlington, Ontario, the company has 130,000 employees at more than 6,000 locations across North America.  Sodexho has been awarded the Gold level certificate for the progressive Aboriginal Relations program (PAR) with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB).  Sodexho has created the charitable organization, the Sodexho Foundation which is dedicated to the fight against hunger as it impacts over 5 million people in Canada.