Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights is preparing to launch a new meal program on Tuesday, Dec. 15, to improve the patient experience. “Cuisine on Call” will allow patients to enjoy a delicious meal of their choice, and at the precise time they want it, while still following any dietary guidelines ordered by their physician.
    The Nutrition and Food Service’s staff combined their culinary skills along with the science of clinical nutrition to create the new meal program. Through Cuisine on Call, patients can order freshly prepared meals that are delivered in “room service” style and arrive when the patient is ready to eat. Because the new meal program will better meet patients’ dining needs, it may assist in a quicker recovery. The program will ensure that meals are cooked to order and arrive at a time designated by the patient, compared to the traditional program where patients only had a choice of two meals that were delivered during set hours.
    “Nutrition is an important part of a patient’s recovery,” said Linda Foster, Systems Coordinator for Nutrition and Food Services. “Not only is the food delivered right when patients want to eat, Cuisine on Call allows them to enjoy a wide variety of tasty foods from our menu that remain within their nutritional guidelines.”
    Menu choices include seven hot entrees, two cold platters, and 10 variations of grill and deli items, as well as personal pizzas. Orders are placed from the patient’s bedside phone anytime from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every day. When an order is taken, dietary compliance is verified and the meal is then prepared to the patient’s specifications. If a physician has prescribed a special diet, or if the patient is undergoing tests, food may be modified or restricted.
    A children’s Cuisine on Call menu also will be offered. NCH staff is available to assist patients with meal choices if needed.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2009, Northwest Community Hospital includes the Busse Center for Specialty Medicine, Day Surgery Center, Home Care, Mobile Dental Clinic, Wellness Center, Youth Center, three Immediate Care Centers and five physician office locations. An experienced team of 1,000 doctors, 4,000 employees and 800 volunteers offers the best in advanced technologies, patient safety, family comfort and compassionate care. The 488-bed hospital in Arlington Heights serves 30,000 inpatients and 370,000 outpatients each year. NCH made Fortune magazine’s 2009 list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” and holds the prestigious Magnet designation for nursing excellence. Follow NCH on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook!