Healthcare Foodservice (Part 1)

A Chain Reaction: In this series, we navigate the healthcare foodservice shortage, ways to proactively combat it and how we continue to make a difference.

 

Healthcare foodservice professionals not only serve patients but also a patients' loved ones, visitors and facility staff. Without foodservice operations, healthcare would not be able to thrive, providing the nourishment and wellness of everyone who comes through the doors.

Unfortunately, unprecedented events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have negatively impacted the healthcare industry in unimaginable ways, with one being labor shortage.

Eighty-four percent of healthcare affiliates are short-staffed, and 56% are anticipating the challenge of staffing shortages throughout 2023. This critical issue tremendously impacts the quality of patient care and satisfaction.

 

Factors that contribute to the healthcare foodservice labor shortage

COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has been the biggest key player in reducing staff within industries nationwide, including healthcare foodservice.

When the world shut down in 2020, industries lost not only customers but employees too. With safety restrictions in place and a health-concerned workforce, businesses were forced to cut down on employment and resources. As society began to reopen, many companies were burdened by individuals not returning to work.

Since 2020, more than 44 million employees have walked away from their careers, leaving essential businesses without the talent to progress forward compared to past years.

In 2021, the top four reasons for a declining workforce included:

  • Low pay (63%)
  • No advancement opportunities (63%)
  • Low employee morale (57%)
  • Childcare issues (48%)

These issues remain a challenge in today’s labor force, creating an uphill battle of essential operations.

 

Ways the healthcare industry can help mitigate the staffing shortage

Emphasize employee value

It should come as no surprise that every employee wants to feel appreciated.

Many Americans spend the majority of their day at work. Boosting employee morale is a way to cultivate an empowering culture within the workplace, increasing retention. Promoting work-life balance, listening to employee needs, incorporating appreciation and providing recognition can help employees feel essential and secure within their jobs and possibly reduce a high turnover.

Deploy Lean methods

With limited staff, employers need to capitalize on the tools they already have. Integrating Lean methods such as 5s can help improve efficiency without adding employees.

The 5s process includes the following:

  • Sort: separate items in the workspace
  • Straighten: create a designated area for an item
  • Shine: clean the workspace and associated tools
  • Standardize: bridge the gap between sort, straighten, shine and sustain
  • Sustain: ensure that 5s is used consistently

These steps provide individuals with a framework to organize and streamline processes without compromising quality. The 5s methodology is a low investment that creates a noticeable impact in any department. Lean increases productivity by enhancing workflow while incorporating waste management.

 

How Aladdin Temp-Rite products can ease your operation's labor challenges

At Aladdin Temp-Rite, we think about the customer at every step of the manufacturing process.

Our advanced meal delivery systems provide healthcare foodservice operations with efficient solutions for patient satisfaction while reducing labor costs. With the automatic re-thermalization of patient foods, job functions in the kitchen will become more specialized with employees spending most of their time within their work unit.

Aladdin Temp-Rite's tray assembly and storage products utilize the 5S process by streamlining assembly and workflow, increasing speed and productivity, while disposable products reduce the need for dishwashing positions.

No matter what stage a healthcare foodservice department is in, it’s vital to be proactive. Incorporating the approaches discussed throughout this article can position foodservice operations to stand strong in the face of a labor shortage.

 

Join us for part 2 as we discuss how our products work with the 5s process.