Fueling Healthcare Professionals: How On-Demand Food Solutions Support Long Shifts
Careers in the healthcare industry are challenging but rewarding. Few industries ask more of their people than healthcare, and the experience of truly making a difference in the lives of patients is something that just can’t be measured.
Long shifts are one of the classic challenges that come along with a career in this field. For example, studies show that 65% of nurses work shifts ranging from 12 to 13 hours. To help professionals stay at the top of their game as the shifts roll past, healthcare facilities should invest in quality on-demand food solutions that make the right nutritional options available at all hours of the day and night. Connect with InReach today to learn more about the exciting possibilities!
The Demands of Long Shifts
We all owe a debt of gratitude to healthcare workers. With hospitals that are staffed at all hours of the day and night, care is always available when we need it most. That’s a wonderful benefit of the modern world, but the long shifts required to make it happen can take a toll on the professionals in those facilities.
It’s not easy to keep up your focus and energy throughout a shift that can stretch 12 hours or longer. Quality patient care demands that doctors, nurses, and support staff all maintain a steady energy level. Nutrition and hydration are fundamental components of human energy, so making the right options available in the right places should be a focus in every healthcare building.
Efficient, Convenient Food Is Key
Leaving the hospital for a time-consuming visit to a nearby shop or restaurant typically isn’t an option in the healthcare field. Even when these professionals aren’t actively working with a patient, they need to be on the premises and ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice.
Modern food-on-demand solutions allow everyone to get the energy they need without going anywhere. This no longer means picking from a few limited options in an old vending machine! Today’s vending can include many appealing choices, including high-protein snacks, fresh salads, sandwiches, and more. Additionally, these machines are much easier to use than their predecessors, with features like touchscreen interfaces and digital payments.
Vending machines are only the start of the options for healthcare facilities looking for a food services upgrade. Other options, like micro markets and pantries, open up even more possibilities. Customizing the blend of features used in your building will make it possible for the entire staff to quickly and easily refuel while always remaining focused on top-notch patient care.
Benefits for Healthcare Facilities
As in so many other industries, staffing is an ongoing challenge in healthcare. There are never enough providers to meet the demand, and keeping the good people on your team for as long as possible is a top priority. Offering excellent food services might not be the only reason why your staff members choose to stick around, but it will certainly help.
You can see the investment you make in improving this area of your facility’s operations as an investment in the performance of your team. High-quality food options available to the staff will directly lead to better outcomes for your patients, which is what it’s all about.
Put Better Performance InReach
Nothing will make a long shift in a busy hospital easy. But you can help make it easier by always having a variety of food and beverage options close at hand in a vending machine or micro market. Utilizing modern on-demand food solutions will improve the experience of working in your facility and make it easier for your people to focus on what they do best.
Proudly part of Sodexo, InReach offers global reach, customized attention, and a large, growing buying network that keeps food costs low and quality high. Contact us today to learn more.