OSU - Wexner Medical - Patient Towel

The Patient Meal Service Support System is an innovative approach to delivering high-quality, freshly prepared meals to patients while ensuring operational efficiency and a seamless dining experience. This state-of-the-art facility encompasses a robust infrastructure that facilitates both bulk food production and individual meal customization, all within a compact yet highly functional design.

The system operates on both a bottom-up and top-down approach, where food is bulk produced at ground level and then transported to the 25th floor. This model streamlines the meal preparation process while maintaining quality and freshness.

Each of the three patient finishing lines can accommodate up to 300 meals, ensuring that every meal is plated to order. This customization meets the diverse dietary needs and preferences of the patient population.

Meals are efficiently delivered to patient floors via a dedicated dispatch elevator system. This system utilizes six high-speed material lifts (unlike traditional dumbwaiters), equipped with automated loading and ejecting mechanisms to expedite service.

On the patient floors, nutrition ambassadors play a crucial role in receiving and delivering meals to patients, enhancing personal interaction, and ensuring that dietary requirements are met.

Soiled trays are collected and transported back to the dishwashing area through automated robotic transport (AMRs). This enhances efficiency and reduces the need for manual handling, promoting a cleaner and safer environment.

The total investment for the equipment and infrastructure of this pioneering system amounted to approximately $13.4 million. This strategic investment not only enhances the quality of patient care but also ensures operational efficiency in food and nutrition services.