Staffing Standstill and Solutions (Part 3)

Healthcare foodservice labor shortage: Optimize productivity, reduce costs and enhance the overall dining experience for patients with labor-saving recommendations.

 

Foodservice is essential in any healthcare operation, prioritizing patient nutrition and satisfaction while appealing to staff and visitors. With the healthcare foodservice industry amidst a labor shortage, organizations must proactively incorporate effective ways to reduce costs and labor while not compromising patient satisfaction.

We outlined the challenges associated with this shortage and how the 5S methodology can optimize efficiency within the patient tray assembly process. Now, let’s explore some strategies foodservice operations can adopt to implement labor savings while continuing to ensure quality services.

 

Reduce labor hours with disposable lids

Plastic wrap has been a foodservice staple for decades. It helps preserve food by blocking oxidation to maintain freshness and protects food items from a germy environment while in transit from one destination to another. Although plastic wrap offers much-needed flexibility, replacing it with disposable lids can eliminate unnecessary labor and reduce costs within healthcare foodservice departments.

Chinaware disposable lids are designed to fit various plates and bowls, creating a convenient option for healthcare foodservice staff when covering and presenting food. These lids remove the hassle of staff manually measuring, cutting and wrapping food items with plastic wrap, which eliminates the time spent on these tasks.

“We’ve used Aladdin’s disposable lids for several months. The lids drastically improve the presentation of the food and are cost-effective when considering the labor to wrap each dish,” Valle Verde Director of Dining Services Andy Sheen-Turner said. “Working in a retirement community, dignified dining is a value we honor, so having beautiful, clean covers on salads, desserts and sandwiches makes the meal experience so much more appealing for our residents.”

In a recent time study conducted by Aladdin-Temp Rite, a fascinating comparison between plastic wrap and disposable lids shed light on a significant breakthrough in efficiency.

According to the findings, employees can cover chinaware with disposable lids a staggering 70% faster than traditional plastic wrap. This revolutionizes healthcare foodservice, where time management is crucial. For instance, a 400-bed hospital that covers an average of 1.5 items per tray per patient meal could save an impressive 2,000 labor hours per year by switching from plastic wrap to disposable lids.

Our chinaware disposable lids provide a trendy and sanitary choice for healthcare operations seeking to enhance their presentation. Aladdin-Temp Rite disposable lids pair perfectly with our chinaware, creating convenient use for patients and foodservice staff.

 

Implement disposable dishes to reduce ware-washing

Disposable products offer an effective labor-saving strategy in healthcare foodservice. By replacing traditional dishes with disposable alternatives, staff can significantly reduce the labor-intensive process of ware-washing.

Ware-washing, or the process of washing dishes, can be labor-intensive in healthcare foodservice for several reasons:

  • Safety and hygiene standards: Due to strict safety and hygiene regulations, healthcare foodservice operations must clean and sanitize all dishware and equipment used in food preparation. These standards may involve multiple steps, including pre-rinsing, washing, sanitizing and air drying — a process which can be time-consuming and require manual labor.
  • Volume and variety of dishware: Healthcare foodservice involves serving numerous patients, staff and visitors. The wide variety of dishes used further adds to the complexity and labor of the ware-washing process.
  • Infection control: The ware-washing process may involve using high-temperature water, specialized detergents and sanitizing agents to effectively eliminate pathogens. These measures require careful attention and adherence to protocols, adding to the labor of the task.

Disposable products, including disposable dinnerware, high-heat disposables and disposable lids, offers several advantages. They reduce the need for dishwashing labor, reducing staff workload and operational costs. Like disposable lids, disposable products reduce the risk of contamination and improve overall sanitation, enhancing food safety and patient satisfaction.

High-heat disposable plates are often soak-proof and puncture resistant, creating a sturdy foundation for countless meals. The lightweight design makes it a perfect substitute for chinaware when healthcare foodservice operations want to lower ware-washing expenses.

 

Employee cross-training

Employee cross-training can serve as a key strategy for healthcare foodservice providers. By training staff to handle multiple roles, organizations can optimize their workforce and ensure uninterrupted service.

Cross-training offers numerous benefits:

  • It enables employees to step in when staff shortages occur, preventing disruptions in daily operations.
  • Cross-training can foster employee empowerment and engagement, as individuals feel valued and adaptable in different roles. This approach promotes teamwork, enhances job satisfaction and can reduce turnover, which can be costly for healthcare foodservice operations.

The healthcare foodservice labor shortage requires creative solutions and adaptation. By embracing cost and labor-saving strategies such as utilizing disposable lids, implementing disposable dishes and encouraging employee cross-training, healthcare foodservice providers can mitigate the impact of the labor shortage. It is essential for organizations to embrace these changes, demonstrating their commitment to adaptability and innovation in an ever-evolving industry.