Pantry Services in Healthcare: Reducing Burnout, Improving Focus, and Nourishing Staff
There’s no room in healthcare for inconsistent performance. Everyone on the staff needs to be at their best at all times. That’s a high bar to set, but it’s what the patients deserve.
Healthcare workers need to be fully supported in order to reach the lofty expectations placed on their work. Providing all workers with quality nutrition and hydration throughout each shift is a good starting point. With the right food and drink choices on hand, each worker can stay fueled up and ready for the challenges that are waiting.
Office pantry services from InReach are an excellent way to upgrade this part of the operation inside your healthcare facility. Get in touch with our helpful and experienced team today to learn more.
The Pressure Healthcare Workers Face
Healthcare workers face a stream of challenges coming from all directions. First is the inherent pressure of caring for human beings. This is high-stakes work, and there is significant stress that comes along with accepting such a meaningful responsibility. Even in the best of circumstances, these are jobs that are naturally going to come along with some significant pressure.
Other realities of healthcare work only add to the burden. The hours are long and unpredictable, for one thing. It’s common for workers in this field to stay on shift for 12 hours or longer, with minimal breaks along the way. Taking time out for a relaxing meal in the middle of a typical healthcare shift just isn’t something that’s on the table.
It’s also hard to find a place to get away and clear your mind when working in a hospital or clinic. These places tend to be all business. When a worker craves just a few minutes of peace to reset their mind and emotions, such an oasis can prove impossible to locate.
Offering Healthy Fuel for Long Shifts
A well-stocked pantry doesn’t address all of the challenges inherent to healthcare work. It is a start, however. Staying properly fueled up during a long shift makes it easier to perform at a high level for one patient after the next.
Traditionally, the snack and drink options available in healthcare facilities haven’t been the healthiest choices. That can be changed with a quality pantry space. Sure, your pantry will still include some indulgent items, but there is also plenty of room to include fresh, healthy choices. By presenting your people with a nice selection of foods and drinks, they will be able to make the choice that is right for them at that moment.
Sending a Clear Message
Workers of all types need to feel supported. That might be even more important in healthcare, given the challenges we discussed above. Adding a pantry that is always stocked with healthy, delicious food and drink options will demonstrate that you are invested in the success of your staff.
An office pantry also serves as a great place for staff members to come together. This is an area where they may be able to talk about things other than work and start to form meaningful relationships. Suddenly, something as simple as an office pantry will have a profound impact on how your employees feel about their jobs and the people around them.
An Immediate Improvement
You don’t have to wait long for the results of your new pantry service to show up in daily operations. The people on staff will be better energized and hydrated thanks to having quality snack and drink options always readily available in an office pantry. And, by working with InReach, you can minimize the daily overhead of running this program so you and the rest of the team can remain focused specifically on excellent patient care.
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.