The Quiet Power of Vending Machines in Healthcare Settings
Vending machines don’t tend to get a lot of attention. For the most part, they just run in the background, waiting to serve a hungry or thirsty customer when the time comes. In fact, if the machines have been in place for years, they simply become part of the scenery, and can be taken for granted by those in the building. However, good vending machines can be a surprisingly powerful force in keeping something like a healthcare facility running.
Today’s vending machines are advanced pieces of technology that can properly serve the needs of countless workers while requiring no staffing and very little maintenance. If you operate a healthcare facility and need to keep your people fed and hydrated, don’t overlook the importance of vending machines in that process.
To upgrade your old vending machines to new models or to optimize your vending program, partnering with the team at InReach is the easy choice. Give us a call today to get started.
Why Vending Machines Are Perfect in Healthcare Buildings
The nature of vending machines makes them a perfect match for the needs of a healthcare facility. First and foremost, they are open for business at all hours of the day and night. As long as the machine is plugged in, it is ready to serve people. Given the around-the-clock nature of healthcare, this is an important feature.
There is also very little required from an operational perspective to keep a vending machine running. With so many other duties that need to be managed in this type of facility, the last thing you need is ongoing headaches related to food and beverage services. With a good collection of vending machines, you’ll be able to focus your attention on other matters while knowing that snacks and drinks are always available.
Modern Vending Machines Are More Than Candy and Chips Dispensers
If you are picturing a healthcare vending machine as a device that does little more than sell candy bars and cans of soda, you should take a fresh look at this market. Sure, those items still have their place in the vending world, but they are now placed alongside many other types of products.
What else will you see in a well-stocked vending machine these days? The following are just some of the possibilities:
- Fresh sandwiches, wraps, and salads
- Protein bars and trail mix
- Low-sugar beverages and infused water
- Yogurt cups and cheese snacks
- Plant-based and gluten-free options
Taking your vending machines in a healthier direction is simple when you work with InReach. We offer a Wellness Program that features vending machines that are either 100% healthy or that have a “Wellness Zone” where 25% of the machine’s space is dedicated to healthy items. Products that qualify for inclusion in wellness spaces have to meet specific nutritional criteria, including limits on calories, fat, and sodium. Identified products meet the criteria below:
- Calories < 200
- Total Fat < 35% of calories from fat OR < 8g
- Sat Fat < 10% of total calories from saturated fat
- Trans Fat Free (<0.05g)
- Cholesterol < 20 mg
- Sodium < 300 mg
- Fiber < 1g
- Or meet 4 of the above and have at least 10% of the daily value of 1 or more major nutrients, such as vitamin A, C, E Iron, Calcium or Protein.
Support Staff Wellness and Efficiency
The staff at a healthcare facility is under some level of stress at all times. These are demanding jobs, both due to the required hours and the importance of the work at hand. Finding even small ways to support the well-being of your employees is an important step to take.
With good snack options on hand in hospital vending machines, workers in your building can more easily maintain a steady energy level throughout the day. They also won’t have to go elsewhere looking for food, meaning they will save time and be more efficient. If something as simple as a vending machine can lead to a staff that is more focused and alert throughout the day, it would be a mistake to ignore the opportunity.
Make Vending Work for You
Is there an old soda machine sitting in the corner of your lobby, loudly buzzing but not really serving anyone’s needs? That’s a common sight in hospitals and other healthcare buildings. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can provide a better experience for your employees and patients simply by working with InReach to modernize your vending solutions.
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.