Healthcare Operators Focus on Keeping Costs Down and Quality Up

摘要

As food prices continue to climb, healthcare operators are tasked with finding innovative ideas to keep customers satisfied and budgets under control. At Elm-hurst (111.) Memorial Healthcare, Dave Reeves, director of hospitality services, says that his hospital actually improved overall quality while driving costs down. Reeves' tactic: Focus on retail, which makes up 65% of the meals served. "We really looked at the retail end and now include a lot of made-to-order foods, cooked fresh and quickly in front of customers," says Reeves. A salad topped with sizzling chicken, shrimp or steak gives the perception of freshness, and it's also a way to control protein portion size. And customers are willing to pay more for protein, notes Reeves.